The development of a neighbourhood or city influences the living environment. According to § 55 of the cantonal constitution, the neighbourhood population should be involved in decisions made by the authorities. This applies in particular to matters that affect them. This mandate is currently regulated by an ordinance dated 22 May 2007 and the guidelines for the participation of the neighbourhood population in the city of Basel.

On 10 May 2023, the Grosse Rat passed the Participation Act on. The law specifies how the neighbourhood population is to be involved and how it can participate. The Grosse Rat has not yet set a date for the participation Act to come into force.

Developments in the neighbourhood and in the city affect the lives of the population. The affected population should therefore be able to participate in planning and development. The Participation Platform serves to inform the population about relevant cantonal projects and opportunities for participation, and to help shape the urban environment.

The Participation Platform is currently being developed. The newsletter from the department of Kantons- und Stadtentwicklung provides monthly information about all participation events.

The map in the Geoportal shows all current and planned participation projects in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Pink P symbols indicate projects with Anhörungen or Weiterführender Partizipation. Blue I symbols indicate projects that are relevant to the population in terms of information.

Child-friendly urban development

As a "Child Friendly Cities", Basel aims to recognise the needs and rights of children and young people. It takes up their concerns and shapes their living environment accordingly. Child-friendly urban development involves more than just childcare and leisure facilities, playgrounds, schools and youth centres. It also takes children into account in areas such as health, the environment, housing, safety, finance, education, transport and integration.

"Auf Augenhöhe 1,20 m" is the name of the guidelines for child-friendly urban development created by the department of Kantons- und Stadtentwicklung. The guidelines are aimed at administrators, politicians, teachers and professionals who work with children and young people.

A new edition of the guideline "Auf Augenhöhe 1,20 m" was published in August 2021.

Senior-Friendliness

On 20 October 2020, the cantonal government adopted the vision "Gut und gemeinsam älter werden im Kanton Basel-Stadt". The guidelines for Basel's policy on ageing describe the vision for the coming years. The Department of Health is responsible for policy on ageing. Several departments work together on certain issues.

In the department of Kantons- und Stadtentwicklung, the specialist departments for Stadtteilentwicklung and Wohnraum look in to ageing. 

The topics are:

• Barrier-free access
• Expansion of easily accessible local public transport
• Good lighting and increased safety
• More seating capacity

The department of Behindertenrechte works together with the department of Stadtteilentwicklung on the key issues of "Strengthening political participation" and "Enabling everyone to use public spaces".

Participation: People with disabilities should be able to express their concerns and needs in government projects that affect them.

Public space: Public transport, events, sports facilities and public institutions should be accessible to people with disabilities.