In the clip above, you can see how it went when the city architect tried to drive a wheelchair in Gothenburg's inner city.
The city architect tried to drive a wheelchair in central Gothenburg on Monday.
He fought well, but after the tour had both white blood and sore muscles.
The purpose of the tour was that one of those who decide on the future urban space should get the perspective of people with reduced mobility.
The journey went over bumpy paving stones, where the two wheelchairs were often forced out into the street by billboards, scaffolding or electric scooters.
- There are smooth stones that give a different surface, stated Björn Siesjö while he tried to parry the worst irregularities.
Challenges
Anders Westgerd, who is CEO of GIL, the Gothenburg cooperative for Independent Living, was given the challenge of trying to get into a store.
This had a steep ramp over the threshold - but the door lacked a button for a door opener.
Another store has a ten centimeter high entrance.
- The knowledge and understanding is too poor.
It's about creating an inclusive and decent society, thinks Anders Westgerd, who ended up in a wheelchair after breaking his neck in connection with a ski accident in 1995.
Different interests
Björn Siesjö agrees with a lot - but not everything.
- Since there are a lot of different interests in the city that need to be able to meet, we must design the city for all Gothenburgers.
And we do not have unlimited money.
Then you have to do what you can, he says.
Anders Westgerd knows that many people perceive what he says as whining.
- Many questions are seen as that we are whining.
But instead of lying down, we turn up the whining to the max!
he says firmly.