Aachen is a city of short distances. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk from the avenue ring to the cathedral. The area around the World Heritage Site offers a very high quality of stay for strolling, strolling, lingering or simply walking. This will be further developed. Many destinations in the city center can be reached safely and comfortably on foot.
City of short distances
City of Aachen
Aachen is a city of short distances - you can reach your destination here in no time at all. This is not only true in the historic city center, where places for art, culture and politics as well as for shopping and dining are close together. In the city districts, too, the various places of public life are usually within walking distance: from schools and shopping facilities to sports venues, many things can be reached within 15 minutes. Thanks to the decentralized city administration, public offices can also be reached with a walk through the neighborhood.
Interesting facts about walking:
- Two thirds of all journeys made by Aachen residents are no more than 5 km long. Within this distance range, 43% of journeys are made on foot.
- 30% of all journeys made by Aachen residents are made on foot. This is 6 percentage points above the average for cities of a comparable size to Aachen.
- 94 % of Aachen residents live within 1,000 m of an elementary school.
- 84% of Aachen residents live within 750 m of a supermarket.
Premium footpaths
A maximum 20-minute walk from the city center along comfortable and barrier-free paths to one of the 10 surrounding green spaces. This is the aim of the "premium footpaths" concept.
City of Aachen
There are many green spaces with different qualities around Aachen's city center. For example, the Westpark, which is popular with students, the Stadtpark, which invites you to stroll and play mini golf, or the Johannisbachtal for beautiful walks. A total of 10 green areas can be reached within a 20-minute walk from the city center and are part of the premium footpath network.
The objective for the quality of the premium paths: On specially marked footpaths with a minimum width of 2.50 m, it is easy to walk side by side. At crossing points, pedestrians and drivers can see each other clearly thanks to a protruding sidewalk. Kerbs are lowered and the area is equipped with tactile elements. And anyone who needs a break along the way will find a bench at regular intervals of around 200 meters.
In 2015, the political basis for the premium footpaths was created with the 2022 city center concept. An overall concept was developed and since then the planning of individual paths has been gradually concretized and funding has been acquired for their implementation. Partial sections have already been realized in Mariahilfstraße, Pontstraße and Lothringer Straße.
Pedestrian traffic check
In September 2022, the city of Aachen carried out two tours together with citizens as part of the NRW state program Pedestrian Checks. On the one hand, streets in the western city center (including Lochnerstraße, Johanniterstraße, Lindenplatz, Jakobstraße and Bf. Schanz) were examined and improvements were recommended for 17 locations. In another meeting, sections in the eastern city center were examined (including Synagogenplatz, Promenadenstraße, Siegmundstraße, Blücherplatz) and 17 measures were also identified.
The results were compiled by the commissioned office in a final report of around 100 pages and an action plan for the 34 locations. In addition, four general improvements were suggested:
- The combination of 1m zero setback and 1m 3cm stop is to be successively expanded at all crossing points.
- The signage of the footpath guidance system should also be installed at barrier-free heights.
- Seating and leaning options are to be gradually installed along the main pedestrian routes.
- For shared footpaths and cycle paths, standards are to be developed for the identification of people with visual impairments.
In August 2023, the Mobility Committee instructed the administration to "further develop the proposed measures and submit them for resolution." It has not yet been possible to develop the locations and finance the measures in an overall implementation program. However, the recommendations of the pedestrian traffic check are being taken into account at those locations where the administration is already taking structural action.
There are currently no plans for such extensive further pedestrian traffic checks in Aachen.
Foot traffic concept
In 2025, a comprehensive concept for pedestrian traffic will be developed as part of the"traffic development planning". This will include the central topics, tasks and measures with which walking is to be promoted in Aachen in the coming years.
The concept is intended to concretize the "Vision Mobility" for pedestrian traffic adopted in 2015:
Experience and discover your city on foot. Every day.
People in Aachen can do many things on foot and enjoy walking. The streets and footpaths are safe to use, barrier-free, green and attractive for pedestrians of all ages. Visitors experience Aachen as a European city of science between innovation and tradition.
Aachen - a city of short distances
Daily errands can be done comfortably and safely on foot in all parts of the city.
The Aachen footpath network
There is a seamless network of footpaths that are easy to navigate.
Green paths into the green countryside
The people of Aachen start their walks at home. All green areas are connected to each other and to the city center.
Barrier-free city - there is still a lot to do!
All people can move independently in public spaces.
It doesn't get any healthier than walking - Aachen stays fit.
Walking every day is good for your health and contributes to your fitness.