Parting of the ways
Disorientation
Wayfinding
in the Built Environment
Three Theories on
Urban Spatial Design
Empire of Signs
Planned Cities and Unplanned
Traffic Calming Project
Safe Cities
Parting of the ways
Author: Evamy, Michael
In this article the subject of signs within buildings is discussed. Signs are an essential part of wayfinding, but can be obtrusive in architecture. Now graphic designers and architects are working together to integrate signs into the architecture. js
Citation: Design. Jan 1993. p. 40-41
Disorientation is a big concern in today's fast paced world. If a person does not know where they are or where they are going, time and opportunities may be lost. In a city, if the streets are not clearly labeled, a person could easily get lost. In a place like an airport or a large office buildings if one becomes disoriented the time lost could mean missing a flight or a meeting. js
Citation: <http://www.wayfinding.com/disorient.htm>,
1/30/00
Wayfinding: Human Perception and Orientation in the Built Environment
"Unfamiliar environments make special demands upon us. Even the simplest of settings can involve a jumble of information that has to be sorted and processed before it becomes meaningful" (Pollet, p. 3). According to this web page, there is a list of things that can aid wayfinding. A few of these aids are: using a visual guidance system, architectural points of interest, appropriate signs at decision making locations, and clear graphics. js
Citation: Sharon MacMinner, <http://www.unl.edu/casetudy/456/sharon.htm>,
2/1/00
Three Theories
of Urban Spatial Design
Author: Trancik, Roger
Trancik states that are three approaches to urban design: figure-ground theory, linkage theory and place theory. With respect to wayfinding the linkage theory is most important of the three. This theory is derived from lines and views from one element of the city or landscape to another. Streets and open spaces are prime examples of connecting multiple elements within a city, which leads to an organized system of circulation. J.N.
Trancik, Roger. Finding Lost Space. New York: Van Nostrand,
1986
An Empire of Signs
Author: Miles, Malcolm
Cities are collages of extremely complex elements. When assembled together there are many places where things can go wrong within the design of the city. The basic layout of the city is where most problems occur. For example in a grid city, such as Los Angeles, it is easy for one to get confused and lost. However, in a city with a radial design, such as Japanese cities with strong concentric rings and radials extending out, it is much easier to find one's way around the whole city. J.N.
Miles, Malcolm. Art, Space and the City. New York: Routledge,
1997.
Planned Cities and Unplanned
Author: Kostof, Spiro
There are two kinds of cities, according to Kostof, the planned and the unplanned. The planned is one that is set down all at once by a designer and the growth of this city conforms to the original design scheme. The unplanned happens haphazardly, due to the fact that no one person or group of people design the city, rather the design happens as it grows. Through this analysis you will see the planned city is much easier to access, as well as less stressful to live in. J.N.
Kostof, Spiro. The City Shaped. London: Thames and Hudson,
1991.
This is a short article describing several goals to make Cambridge a safer city. By making the city safer it ultimately makes it easier to access. One main goal is to decrease interaction between pedestrians and traffic. To achieve this raised crosswalks will be introduced over several roads. J.N.
“Traffic Calming Project makes Cambridge safer.” American City
& County 114 (June 1999):
70.
Safe Cities
Author: Wekerle, Gerda R. and Carolyn Whitzman
This book gives a general overview of what must consist within a city for it to be considered safe. One important aspect of a safe city is signage. Signage, such as city maps, allow a person to know exactly where they are and which way they need to turn to get to where they are going. In turn, this contributes to an elevated feeling of security. J.N.
Wekerle, Gerda R. and Carolyn Whitzman. Safe Cities: Guidelines
for planning, design and management. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold,
1995.
