Being there
What might inclusion look like in everyday urban life, beyond infrastructure and regulations?
A student project by: Stella Umlauf
3rd semester, 2026
Supervisors: Tanja Hakl, Romina Marsico, Tsunemitsu Tanaka, Tomas Zebis
The starting point
Getting around the city is not something all can take for granted. People with reduced mobility repeatedly encounter obstacles in their daily lives, whether due to a lack of kerb ramps, steep gradients or damaged pavements. Urban planning and transport schemes are often based on a supposed ‘norm’ and fail to take many perspectives into account.
At the same time, research has shown that not every obstacle needs to be completely avoided. Often, it is enough simply to be prepared – or to have support. This is exactly where DAsein comes in.
The idea
DAsein is a social service that connects people in urban areas. Rather than addressing barriers solely through technology or infrastructure, DAsein focuses on the interpersonal aspect.
Via an app, people with limited mobility can request assistance in specific situations. Other people in the city can view these requests and offer their help voluntarily – calmly, naturally and as equals. The city acts as a mediating body, creating a safe and trustworthy framework.
What makes it special
DAsein views inclusion not as an exception, but as a shared responsibility. The service is deliberately not just a navigation app. Instead, it is about tackling routes together, rather than having to navigate them alone.
A recognition and reward system highlights commitment and values help without exploiting it. Support is not demanded, but offered – voluntarily, in response to the situation and on one’s own terms.
Implementation
In addition to a click-through mock-up in Adobe XD, a functional web prototype was also developed in React. This enabled key processes, states and interactions to be tested not only visually but also from a technical and logical perspective.
In terms of design, DAsein is consistently modelled on the website of the Science City of Darmstadt. The colour scheme, typography and design language reflect the city’s visual identity and position the services as official, trustworthy opportunities within the urban environment.
Insight
Genuine participation does not arise solely from better infrastructure, but from active community life. The discussion on this topic clearly showed that social support can reduce insecurity, strengthen self-determination and make a sense of community tangible in everyday urban life.
DAsein sees itself as a complementary approach to existing measures and highlights what defines a city: people who are there for one another.