Press releases

Aachen’s concept of premium pedestrian paths has gained recognition far beyond the city limits. On September 17, it won the VCÖ Mobility Award Austria in the category “International Model Projects” in Vienna. The VCÖ Mobility Award is Austria’s largest competition for environmentally sustainable mobility and is organized by the VCÖ in cooperation with the Ministry of Mobility and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). This year, 388 projects and concepts were submitted.

There is great excitement in Aachen over the award. City Planning Commissioner Frauke Burgdorff says: “It’s wonderful that our program—which has actively promoted pedestrian-friendly conditions for many city council terms—is now receiving international recognition. “With Jakobstraße, Lothringerstraße, and Mariahilfstraße in particular, we’ve demonstrated in practice how mobility for pedestrians can be improved. More are to follow!”

Heiko Thomas, City Councilor for Climate and Environment, Municipal Services, and Buildings, adds: “More green spaces, climate protection, and quality of life are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, the premium sidewalks demonstrate how urban redevelopment can succeed while setting the right course, especially in times of climate change. Whether it’s heavy rain or a hot summer—more greenery in the street environment, which helps retain water and provides shade in the summer, helps the city remain a great place to live. People particularly enjoy using these streets and paths.”

VCÖ Executive Director Ulla Rasmussen congratulates the city of Aachen on the award and emphasizes: “When the route from home to green spaces is pleasant, citizens get more healthy exercise, and at the same time, many car trips are avoided. This is an approach that we hope will also be implemented more widely in Austria.”

To Green
Spaces in 20 Minutes A 20-minute walk from downtown to one of the surrounding green spaces along comfortable, attractive, and accessible paths: that is the concept behind Aachen’s ten premium walking trails. The initial idea for this project emerged in 2013. At that time, representatives from Aachen attended the international pedestrian conference Walk 21 in Munich.

In 2014, they were adopted as a key component of the “Aachen 2022 Downtown Concept” and the “Mobility Vision 2050.” Since then—now spanning three council terms and consistently supported by a broad political consensus—these initiatives have been taking shape before our very eyes.

It’s nearly impossible to create new large-scale green spaces in the city center, but the nearest premium green space is usually just a short walk away. With the help of green signposts along the Premium Paths, not only do visitors find their way along the routes, but even locals discover that the next urban green space is just a few minutes away. The starting points are all located in the historic city center around City Hall, the cathedral, and the Elisenbrunnen.

These are the ten destinations along the Premium Walking Trails: City Park, Aachen Streams/Wurm Valley, Frankenberg Park/Frankenberg Castle, Burtscheid Spa Garden, Burtscheid: Ferber Park, Kaiser-Friedrich Park/Hangeweiher, Johannisbach Valley, West Park, West Station/Campus West, and Lousberg.

Information Signs Coming in Fall 2026
Information signs will be installed at the ten destinations as early as fall 2026. These signs will provide visitors with interesting facts about, for example, the Hangeweiher, Westpark, Stadtpark, and each of the other destinations.

The gradual expansion of the premium sidewalks is taking place step by step—most recently, for example, along Jakobstraße and Lothringer Straße. Additional sections are already planned as part of broader street renovation projects.

Once the premium walking trail is fully completed, it will offer—in addition to a pleasant walking route through a nearby green space—a number of other benefits: Benches are placed at regular intervals, inviting walkers to take a break. This ensures that no walk is too long, especially for older people with limited mobility, but also for families with children. In addition, there is plenty to discover along the paths: small and large play areas, storefronts, shops, and much more. More trees and greenery also create a pleasant microclimate. With sidewalks at least 2.50 meters wide, it’s comfortable to stroll side by side. Tactile guide strips, consistently lowered curbs, or paved crosswalks at intersections also enhance walking comfort. In this way, Aachen reinforces its reputation as a city of short distances.

The “VCÖ – Mobility with a Future” is the counterpart to the German Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD). According to its own description, it is a public-interest organization specializing in mobility and transportation. The VCÖ’s goal is an environmentally sustainable, economically efficient, and socially just transportation system.

For more information and a map of the premium hiking trails, visit: www.aachen.de/premiumfusswege

Information about the "Premium Sidewalks" project in the VCÖ category "International Model Projects":

https://vcoe.at/mobilitaetspreis/vcoe-mobilitaetspreis-2026-oesterreich-kategorie-internationale-vorbildprojekte