Wayfinding – part of your urban planning strategy
Wayfinding signs are everywhere. Each street sign is a wayfinding sign telling you where you are. As you approach a city on the highway, a sign tells you how many kilometres there are to your destination.
Wayfinding is necessary to increase usage of trails and other active transportation routes. Imagine if there were no directional signs at t-intersections when driving. Drivers could stop to look at a map or use GPS, but simple signs, arrows, and context-appropriate maps make it easy for drivers to get to their destinations.
Wayfinding is an integral part of urban planning
Urban planning strategies now include such signage for people who walk, ride, or roll.
Successful trail and active transportation networks offer good wayfinding to identify routes and connections, facilities along those routes. and accessibility information such as rest areas, level of difficulty, and length of trail.
How wayfinding maps can help
- in shopping districts, maps showing streets and shops can support local businesses and BIAs
- trailhead maps show routes and facilities to encourage their use
- along bike and walking routes, directional and street signs at each connection show riders where they are; the addition of maps showing streets, businesses, landmarks, and facilities helps people explore their environs
- facility maps, such as in a shopping mall, hospital, or arena, help people find their way
You can read this blog post to see examples of some wayfinding maps I’ve encountered in my travels.
Contact me
Contact me if you’d like to talk about including maps as part of your wayfinding strategy. I love maps and exploring cities and trails, and believe that wayfinding maps contribute to a more livable and accessible city.
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