For most people, moving through Calgary is something they rarely have to think about. For Nabeel Ramji, it raises the question of whether the city gives everyone the freedom to move independently.
“Creating accessible spaces is about giving people, even those with mobility challenges, the confidence to move freely and be spontaneous, without having to pre-plan,” Ramji says.
Ramji, who has a rare form of cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, is the co-founder and CEO of Pedesting, a mapping app that helps people with mobility challenges or vision loss navigate indoor and outdoor spaces in Calgary.
The app allows users to map accessible routes, locate amenities such as elevators and washrooms, and find accessible entrances and exits.
Innovative wayfinding
Inclusivity and representation are at the heart of the app.
“I view this app as a vehicle for social impact,” Ramji says. “For me, innovation is about solving problems. It’s about making things that work for everyone. This app offers personalized navigation, whether you’re walking or rolling.”
For Ramji, accessibility is an innovation challenge and one that raises a bigger question: What does a city look like when it’s designed for everyone? And as Calgary grows, how will infrastructure, technology and urban design evolve to accommodate people with different needs?
“There are a lot of opportunities to really optimize the city when it comes to public transportation, wayfinding and connections between different buildings,” Ramji says. “The +15 network is a great example of that coming to life. I want to see more of that, especially between shared spaces and anchored destination projects, like Scotia Place and other arts and culture destinations.”
The future of Calgary
Looking toward the future of the city, Ramji is excited about the trajectory Calgary is on.
“I think the biggest change is the people,” he says. “In the past, it was all about advocacy. [Now], there’s so much more acknowledgement of these challenges and general awareness within the city. People care.”
As Calgary continues to grow, Ramji can’t think of a better time to have this conversation.
“This is so much bigger than Calgary. This is a worldwide conversation. Public awareness creates public action,” he says.
He sees proof of that change every day, particularly through his work with business owners and other Pedesting customers.
“There is so much alignment and shared interest in making the city more accessible for everyone. It gives me so much hope.”
For Ramji, that shared interest points to what could be possible for Calgary.
“It shows what’s possible when we all come together. I want Calgary to one day be a shining showcase of what an accessible city looks like. And maybe that will spread to other cities in Canada, and beyond.”
Ramji will explore that vision further on Oct. 7, when he joins the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary for an Ingenuity Speaker Series conversation about entrepreneurship and accessible cities.
Register for the event here.
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