Legible Legible Legible London

Yellow Book

Yellow Book A prototype wayfinding system for London Legible London

Yellow Book A prototype wayfinding system for London Contents Legible London Yellow Book

A prototype wayfinding system for London Developed by AIG for This book is in two 5 Introduction the London boroughs, sections. The first half is 7 Legible London – the story so far , an overview in the form By Jim Davies London Development of an essay outlining the Agency, London’s background, research 26 Who’s it for? land-owners and its and development work Different people, goals and journeys travelling, resident and that has culminated in Ways of seeing – understanding cities visiting public. the Legible London Above ground as well as underground prototype wayfinding 32 Guiding principles system for the West End. The role of named places The second half is a Looking for clues – information journeys visual summation that Providing answers to people’s questions shows the application 38 Prototype in the West End of theories, concepts Getting feedback from the street and findings that form Evolving the design the foundations of the Universal design wayfinding system. Sign locations Family of sign types for walkers Mapping to help people orientate Product innovation Continuity above and below the streets Map of landmarks Fitness for purpose 60 Feedback 61 Glossary 62 References 62 Sources & Bibliography 64 Acknowledgements & Credits

Produced and published for Transport for London by Applied Information Group © 2007 Transport for London

First edition November 2007 Introduction London is a great city for walking. The Mayor’s vision is to make it one of the world’s most walking friendly cities by 2015. Walking is an enjoyable, free and accessible activity and for most people, a necessary part of their everyday journeys. Legible London is a wayfinding project designed to provide better information throughout the Capital for people who want to walk. A study conducted two years ago on behalf of Transport for London found that the present multitude of pedestrian sign systems in central London are ineffective and often confusing, and that there was a consequent over-reliance on the Tube map to help people navigate above ground. Transport for London has worked with the London Development Agency and in partnership with London Boroughs to develop a way of providing coordinated walking information across the capital, offering benefits for our transport system, for public health, the economy, tourism and the environment. This book tells the story of the initial design development of Legible London up to the installation of a prototype in the area, improving information for Christmas shoppers from November 2007.

D Legible London Yellow book Which way to Christmas? of Legible London to the test, to learn lessons from the public’s reaction and to identify areas where adjustments or improvements might be made. Twinkling lights, bristling streets, spectacular window displays, angst and anticipation. Somehow, Christmas shopping and London’s West End go together As a means of guiding people on foot through one of the world’s most organic like turkey and stuffing. and complex cities, Legible London is based on proven scientific research, particularly into the process of ‘mental mapping’. But it also draws on examples An essay by Jim Davies. In the run up to Christmas 2007, bustling, gift-laden Oxford Street shoppers of best practice around the world, and other systems that have stood the test of Jim is an author and design have been helped along their way by a new wayfinding system. It allows them to commentator whose work time, including Bristol Legible City and the uk Road Sign system, which has been has appeared widely in quickly get their bearings – to locate shops and hotels, Tube stations and toilets, proving its worth since 1964. international design magazines cinemas and museums, cafés and restaurants. This in the hustle-bustle of some and national newspapers. of the busiest stretches of pavement in the world. Placed at strategic locations, The Oxford Street prototype, in turn, is part of another ongoing London and aimed fairly and squarely at the average pedestrian, the bright new initiative, ‘Oxford Street, Regent Street, – An Action Plan for the wayfinding system presents information clearly, logically and succinctly – Retail Streets’ (more familiarly orb), which aims to rejuvenate the West End but in a way that has rarely been attempted before. shopping district. orb’s aim is simple, but ambitious. To safeguard the position of London’s West End as one of the world’s premier locations – making sure that it remains a wonderful place to live, an exciting place to visit, and a vibrant So what's new? shopping destination that no other world city can match. Theorb Action Plan is sets its sights high and requires support from many different partners. Mainly that it’s been designed to be in synch with the way we think and act when we’re moving on foot from one place to another. To achieve orb’s objectives over 100 ‘actions’ seek to revitalise the public realm – these include reducing traffic congestion, the use of iconic lighting, and the For example, it cleverly taps our innate sense of spatial awareness, and how we introduction of oases areas. The orb Action Plan recognises that improving the naturally relate one place to another. It uses accessible maps of different scales pedestrian navigation strategy in the area is vital to the continuing success of the to convey quickly not only the immediate surroundings, but to show how the three key retail streets and the immediate surrounding areas. This is where the area connects to those around it. Simple 3d drawings of notable buildings have West End facts Legible London system can begin to play a role in helping people expore the area been incorporated into the maps to fix given points in people’s minds. A clear, 200 million visitors £4.7 billion spending each year on foot. easily understood hierarchy of place names has been developed so people can 87% of visitors move on foot appreciate the general in relation to the particular. 41% don’t wander off Oxford Street is a destination for shoppers in its own right. But it also acts as a the main roads.1 conduit for several adjacent specialist shopping zones. Just off the western end All this under the watchful eye of a pictorial ‘walker’ silhouetted on a yellow of the street are St Christopher’s Place and High Street with their background who appears at the top of each pillar, denoting its function. The characterful niche stores. To the south there is Bond Street with its high-quality symbolic pedestrian in whose honour we’ve called this slim volume the ‘Yellow offer, and South Moulton Street, with its upmarket clothing, jewellery and Book’. accessories shops. Regent Street hosts many well-known global brands. Carnaby The Oxford Street scheme is a prototype for a project called ‘Legible London’. Street is re-establishing itself as a fashionable destination for younger shoppers. Symbol This proposes a new pedestrian wayfinding system to help people travel around Tottenham Court Road is well known for its electrical goods and upmarket The Legible London ‘walker’ – instantly recognisable and the capital on foot as part of the Mayor’s wider commitment to making London furniture stores. Helping people negotiate these busy retail points effectively is derived from the universal a truly walkable city. Legible London is supported by the Mayor of London, a key part of the orb strategy. symbol to represent walking. Transport for London (tfl), the London Development Agency and many London Over 200 million people visit the West End each year, spending over £4.7 billion. local authorities, with know-how from information design consultancy aig. It Some 87 per cent of them choose to move around on foot. Towards Christmas, is a real joint effort, pulling together complementary work carried out by the these figures bulge significantly. So Oxford Street in December is a demanding different organisations. place and time to test out the Legible London wayfinding system. Enabling West The Oxford Street prototype was implemented to put the underlying principles End shoppers and tourists to get from a to b to Christmas in the most efficient

6 Legible London Legible London 7 Yellow book Yellow book and enjoyable way was a real challenge. But one that will encourage them to come 2012, of course, is just the immediate spur. The legacy of the massive investment back to enjoy its many attractions time and time again. in facilities and infrastructure will be felt for decades to come. Which is why money needs to be spent wisely on schemes that will make a real difference to the And if the principles of this system can stand up to the extreme pressures of the everyday lives of Londoners. West End at the busiest time of year, that bodes well for the roll out of a similar system across the capital as part of a wider programme to improve the legibility of London’s streets and public spaces.

Legible London – how we got here The Mayor’s vision

What the Mayor wants From the outside, London is seen as one of the world’s greatest cities – and so it –  Strong and diverse economic growth is, but of course there’s more to it than that. People who regularly travel around – Social inclusivity the city recognise there will always be plenty to do to regenerate and improve –  Improvements in the urban environment. environmental management and use of resources There’s already pressure on London’s transport infrastructure, and this is set to intensify. Over the next 20 years, it’s estimated that London’s population will grow by at least 800,000.1 In many ways this is a great opportunity. The population increase and the economic potential that goes with it needs to be harnessed to make London a truly sustainable city. The Mayor has set out a clear vision for London based on three complementary themes: strong and diverse economic growth; social inclusivity; and fundamental improvements in environmental management and use of resources. Change and renewal are already evident, with iconic contemporary landmarks like 30 St Mary Axe (aka ‘The Gherkin’) and Tate Modern on the South Bank breathing 8.5 m new life into our heritage. Many outer London town centres are growing and 7. 4 m regenerating too. There is innovative development and building work going on throughout the capital, creating a real buzz and sense of expectation.

2012 and all that Where to next? One of the Mayor’s ambitions for London is to transform it into one of the most As unprecedented numbers of walking-friendly cities in the world by 2015. To date, provision for pedestrians And there’s an imminent catalyst for change too. The London2012 Olympics and people flock to London for the 2012 Games, it’s crucial that has been patchy at best in towns and cities in the uk and abroad. London is Paralympic Games are just around the corner, giving a focus and urgency to the measures are in place to help taking the lead in what is set to become a major step change in urban transport, many and varied proposals for London’s better, brighter future. Unprecedented them navigate the city. a programme that could radically improve citizens’ quality of life. Encouraging numbers of people from the uk and all over the world will flock to the capital in people to walk where they can makes so much sense in terms of transport, public London’s population 2012, so it’s important that they feel welcome and can get around easily. There are set to increase health, social inclusion and the environment. Legible London is a key element in tangible deadlines and targets to be met. Everyone is working together towards 14.3% increase to 8.5 million a wider programme to support walking in the capital. people by 2029.2 a common goal.

8 Legible London Legible London 9 Yellow book Yellow book The case for walking Commercial  A walking-friendly city is a tourist-friendly city, and the local economy Legible London captures the spirit of our times. We find ourselves in the midst Health benefits of walking benefits directly. Retailers appreciate having people walking past of a cultural shift, where people are receptive to embracing the positives of walking – reduces obesity – lessens risk of heart disease their shops as it increases passing trade and impulse buying. For as the number one choice for short journeys in London. The public is becoming – lowers blood pressure business people, walking to and from meetings provides time for more sophisticated and aware about environmental responsibility, and there’s – reduces high cholesterol and body fat thinking, planning – and just having a break and clearing the head. a distinct shift to greener ways. Walking can play an important role in making – increases bone density The Corporation of London, for example, has recognised the benefits of London a healthier, more pleasant city, a less congested and polluted place. – enhances mental wellbeing 2 Other trips maintaining a high-quality walking environment in the City of London. Walking trips It’s hard to find anything negative to say about walking. As a mode of transport, Plus, less traffic means businesses can provide services and deliveries it’s incredibly inclusive and democratic – accessible to all social groups, ages, more efficiently. religions and cultures. Walking is safe, environmentally friendly and free. It’s Health 55% also one of the best forms of exercise known to man, and it encourages business The Chief Medical Officer describes walking as “the nearest thing to and social interaction. More people on the streets makes for safer streets. perfect exercise”. Among other things, it can reduce the risk of coronary Yet, despite all these plus points, walking often gives way to motorised travel heart disease, obesity and strokes, lower blood pressure, reduce high 45% for short trips. cholesterol and body fat, increase bone density, and enhance mental Here are some of the proven benefits of walking: well being. A brisk two-mile walk burns off the calories contained in Journeys per day a chocolate bar. Walking accounts for the Transport  majority of journeys in Walking already accounts for 15.4 million daily trips in London1. We can all agree that walking is good for us, personally and collectively. London already. For shorter trips, it is a highly efficient, reliable and enjoyable way of The next step is to encourage significantly more of it through a programme moving around the city, as the volume of people walking to, from and of improvements in the conditions for walking including well-considered, Walk A-B around the centre of London confirms. Enabling people to walk more coordinated public information systems. So how can we achieve this? Walk for pleasure can also help ease pressure on the public transport system, making it walk to access public more efficient and less overcrowded. Road space can be freed up, easing transport congestion and helping essential traffic on its way. The Walking Plan for London

27% 36% Society Walking is a means of really understanding and appreciating a city up close. Walking creates a lively, often more friendly atmosphere on the street, London is blessed with rivers, canal paths, parks, woodlands, imposing squares, as well as a sense of civic pride and local ownership. Street crime is magnificent landmarks, local town centres, hidden architectural gems, world- reduced by having more populated streets, and people feel safer at class buildings and a rich cultural heritage. In other words, there’s plenty to see 37% large. Being free, walking is also highly socially inclusive. Designing and plenty of reasons to travel on foot. and managing the street environment with the needs of people Walking trips Though walking is a fundamental part of our daily lives, walking environments with mobility impairments in mind can significantly increase their Composition of the 15.4 million can sometimes put people off. The Walking Plan for London recognises the need daily trips made on foot.1 independence. It also benefits those who are temporarily encumbered to create a safe, attractive and accessible environment that improves Londoners’ with buggies, shopping or luggage. experience on the street and their attitude to walking. This plan identifies all the Environmental key issues relevant to walking in London and suggests how they can be addressed Walking is a truly sustainable form of transport. It causes no air in a practical and cost-effective way. pollution, produces no co2 emissions, and has little environmental impact. If more people walked more often, we’d have less traffic and noise, and better air quality. A co-ordinated London wayfinding system can also reduce visual and physical clutter across the capital’s streets.

10 Legible London Legible London 11 Yellow book Yellow book Ben: Small caps and non-lining done on this page - inc. TfL?

The Walking Plan for London aims to: walking. These range from high-profile improvements to the public realm (such as ambitious plans for Parliament Square) through to new road crossings. Better – Co-ordinate delivery and further develop the plan, making sure pedestrians’ pedestrian safety, improved street lighting and traffic calming will all contribute needs are being met to improving the pedestrian’s lot. – Educate and inform the public via published material and campaigns Wayfinding is a key component of the wider programme for walking. It increases – Improve street conditions by drawing up guidelines, developing integrated the general understanding of how the capital fits together and gives residents and pedestrian networks and implementing improvements visitors the confidence to walk and explore the city. Making wayfinding work for people means bringing boroughs, landowners and local communities together – Develop guidelines and measures to improve pedestrian conditions at new to support a move towards a more reliable and consistent system of walking developments and interchanges information right across the city. – Implement safety and security measures to help pedestrians – Achieve the Mayor’s vision within a realistic timeframe, which will require Mixed signals significant funding and resource at regional and local level. London is unique. It’s jam-packed full of landmarks and places of interest, but it’s By 2012, central London and the Olympic zone should have been reinvented as notoriously hard to find your way around when you’re walking. Unlike the logical shining examples of pedestrian-friendly urban areas. To this end, the Mayor of grid of New York, or the compact, canal-defined conurbation of Amsterdam, London is working closely with Transport for London and the London boroughs, London has no structured delineation. The city is made up of a rich collection of to make the streets far more amenable and attractive for walking, improving neighbourhoods and boroughs, with an unplanned maze of streets, innumerable signage and reducing pollution, congestion and crime. The main aim of the obstacles, and dense road traffic. Mayor’s Vision is to make London one of the most walkable cities in the world Where am I? by 2015 (compared to base level in 2000). One in seven Londoners can’t The mazy, interconnecting streets of inner London have evolved organically find their way around the city over the centuries, which may add to the city’s charm and character, but makes it Walking currently accounts for 80 per cent of trips under a mile and is the main easily. One in four worry about 2 tricky for the pedestrian to navigate. Outer London is made up of many dispersed way in which public transport is accessed in London. As a mode of transport, getting lost. areas, often difficult to access without first travelling through the centre. Despite walking is growing in line with population growth (for a to b trips), however, hundreds of maps and thousands of signs, studies show that one in seven the growth is predominantly in central and inner London.1 As well as a to b trips, Londoners have trouble finding their way around on foot, and around a quarter walking plays an important role as a leisure activity – such as strolling worry about getting lost. in London’s parks and public spaces. The sheer volume of signs adds to the problem. In the original Legible London Architects and urban planners, of course, have a central role to play in study funded by tfl and commissioned by the Central London Partnership, invigorating and refining the overall pedestrian infrastructure of London. information design consultancy aig identified at least32 separate wayfinding A structure like the Millennium Bridge, for example, which links two points systems for pedestrians in the central Congestion Charging Zone alone.3 previously inaccessible to each other, opens up exciting new possibilities for These systems come with sharp differences in information, design and quality. travelling on foot. Ingenious ways of physically joining different areas, like Destination names are inconsistent. So are indications of distance. Designs vary bridges, walkways, and pedestrian-specific routes, will encourage people to in colour, shape, typeface, materials and branding. Some aren’t maintained walk rather than choosing other modes of transport. properly, leading to graffiti and vandalism. There is no common standard for These sorts of improvements to the built environment are part of a wider the positioning of street signs. By contrast, our road signage for motor vehicles programme of investment in infrastructure and information designed to fulfil is consistent, clear and accepted right across the country – it tackled these issues the Mayor’s vision of London as one of the world’s foremost walking-friendly decades ago. cities. Over the next three years, the Mayor and tfl will continue to invest London is a complex city, and the current signage and wayfinding systems have millions of pounds into its own schemes and by funding boroughs to encourage

12 Legible London Legible London 13 Yellow book Yellow book come about to service a wide variety of needs. This reflects the diversity in our mind’s eye. Walkers instinctively build up what’s called a ‘mental map’ of the bodies responsible for design and maintenance of the street environment of a town or city. Any successful wayfinding system needs to support people in in London. The London boroughs look after all roads other than the larger building their mental maps (be they tourists or regular travellers in London). roads forming the Transport for London Road Network (tlrn). manages the main railway stations. manages the Tube stations. In addition, there are many development, business and property Mental mapping groups dealing with specific areas. These include Business Improvement Cognitive science and research work in other related areas has shown we develop Districts, the Great Estates, and sub-regional partnerships of boroughs and ‘place cells’ in the brain corresponding to points in the physical environment local business organisations such as chambers of commerce and the South and gradually build them up into a mental map of places, routes and, eventually, Bank Employers’ Group. areas. The mental map we build is not strictly geographic, but revolves around the Many of these different organisations have developed their own information relationship between memorable locations and routes insofar as they are relevant systems to suit their own purposes. Everything these systems are doing to our needs. This is a function of the hippocampus area of the brain which, it is

successfully needs to be carefully considered as part of any new programme – >75% <10% said, is enlarged in London’s black cab drivers. the baby mustn’t disappear with the bathwater. But in many cases, it appears that <50% The way our brains mentally map areas means that when we encounter a signing and information systems have been developed back to front. To borrow a new area, we start with specific arrival and destination points, which form term from commerce, the current solutions are not ‘customer led’, but ‘provider <25% our entry into the wayfinding system (‘nodes’). From there, we find out routes led’. From this point forward, we need to focus more on the needs of pedestrians, between these points. We build up knowledge of the area surrounding the nodes rather than thinking like providers promoting a particular route or destination. The knowledge (‘locality’) and, gradually, clusters of localities (‘neighbourhoods’). Step by step, Asked ‘How much of the The logical solution, of course, is to move towards a more coherent approach Greater London area do you we build up our knowledge and increase our mental maps until we have as much to pedestrian information for London as a whole. This needs to be based on a think you know?’, 45% of information as we need. People new to London or a particular area often build number of shared and agreed principles such as ‘progressive disclosure’ – that people answered 10% or less.1 up knowledge of ‘localities’, but not ‘neighbourhoods’. is, telling people what they need to know when they need to know it, and not But this is only a matter of time and familiarity. All parts of London have familiar bombarding them with irrelevant, potentially confusing information. areas and landmarks. In Central London, distinct areas (, Camden Town, , Chinatown) landmarks (The London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf), streets, stations and squares – can all assist the mental mapping Developing the Legible London approach process. Other parts of London have their own distinctive areas and landmarks, In recent years, a number of local authorities in London and elsewhere in the reflecting the city’s evolution from a patchwork of buildings, streets, villages and uk have been working to develop co-ordinated pedestrian information and towns that have gradually joined together as the city has grown. But the walker mapping systems. Transport for London’s involvement in this process began first needs to break these pieces of knowledge about the city’s geography into in 2005 when it supported the commissioning of a research study through the manageable and relevant nodes, routes and areas. And this principle should Central London Partnership, a body which represents seven boroughs and a wide be at the heart of planning wayfinding systems and walking maps for London. range of businesses from central London. The report, entitled Legible London- A Wayfinding Study The stronger a mental map we have, the more confident we are about walking to A Wayfinding Study, was published in March2006 . The central London Identified the need and method our destination and exploring new areas on foot. Legible London seeks to give for creating a more Legible boroughs endorsed the study and signalled their in-principle support for the people the prompts and building blocks to encourage and support the natural London, and has gained project to go through to the next stage. A presentation in December 2006 to in-principle support from process of mental mapping. central London Boroughs. representatives from London boroughs garnered wider goodwill, paving the way for further investigation and full borough consultation. From the theory and first line of research, the study moved into its next phase – building a business case for Legible London. This has involved digging deep to At the heart of the Legible London approach to pedestrian information is the idea investigate the tangible benefits that a co-ordinated, London-wide pedestrian of ‘mental mapping’. The more we travel a particular route, the clearer it becomes system would create.

14 Legible London Legible London 15 Yellow book Yellow book To this end, a series of research programmes were commissioned. These included Feasibility studies the aig/lse ‘Walkable Journeys’ report, covering central London, which showed Alongside the studies outlined above, pilot feasibility studies were initiated in that one in ten journeys across the Tube network in central London are less than partnership with the South Bank Employers’ Group and the London Borough of 2km long, as are almost half of all bus trips. aig’s ‘Walking Tube Study’ timed Richmond to test out the viability of the wayfinding system in two very different Tube journeys between station entrances against the same distance walking London environments. above ground. Among other things, it found that 55 per cent or 109 journeys between pairs of stations in central London were quicker to walk. A tfl study The urban South Bank/Waterloo area is one of the key transport hubs of the city. of wayfinding indicated that at least25 per cent of pedestrians used the Tube It attracts significant visitor numbers – The London Eye is the number one tourist map and many carried an ‘a-z’ to find their way around London – significantly, attraction in the country, drawing visitors along the river bank to other people- neither of these guides has been designed to serve the needs of walking. magnets like the Royal Festival Hall, Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre, which are close by. Central London will be a key area in 2012, with many people staying Other tfl research reveals that attitudes to walking among Londoners is in the locality and travelling from there out to east London to watch the Games. positive, mainly because of the associated health and environmental benefits. Two-thirds of Londoners were receptive to walking more over the next year – Issues in the Richmond, Twickenham and Kew area are quite different. These Estimated benefit with a bias towards the younger population (under 35) and women. Six out of are more dispersed areas, with distributed centres, so the main challenge here Reducing the numbers of people who get lost or take ten Londoners would be more motivated to walk if there were more local facilities is linking up these discrete hubs. The choice of two such contrasting localities longer than necessary journeys or the pavements were cleaner. Half would be more motivated if there was more is deliberate, helping to test what elements of the scheme work universally, and could result in time savings information on local walks/places of interest. assessing where a more tailored approach may be necessary. per trip per person of between 5p and 7p.1 Pilot and feasibility studies are a pivotal part of making sure that Legible London works as it should. They provide a steady build up to going live, pin-pointing Quantified savings areas that do their job well and others that need further attention. These studies Another tfl-commissioned report by transport economists Colin Buchanan, build on the experience of product and interactive design in other walks of life. made positive findings in several key areas. This research is being developed In car design, for example, full-scale models in clay and wood are made and alongside the prototype scheme and will need to be reviewed afterwards, placed on the street to evaluate proportions and styling in a real context. but the initial findings are compelling. Interactive design rigorously tests factors affecting the user’s experience before committing to a final version. Similarly, with Legible London it’s important to To quantify potential journey time savings within the central London area, iron out potential glitches as part of a wider roll-out. Retrospective tinkering is Buchanan interviewed 1,500 pedestrians to estimate the number of people who Walking maps After being shown a walking costly and confusing to the public. get lost or take a longer route than intended. Journeys were then mapped to find map, 66% of travellers would out whether or not respondents had taken the quickest route. After factoring the consider walking instead of Other associated research which support the Legible London approach results of the surveys up to the number of total pedestrian trips inside Central using public transport. Among recommendations includes: tourists, this figure increases London, it was estimated that time savings per trip per person would fall between 2 to 80 per cent. Research Business International 2002 five pence and seven pence if pedestrians had taken a quicker walking route. Which found that 66 per cent of travellers would consider walking Buchanan also assessed the potential benefits from improving the quality of the instead of using public transport, after being shown a walking map. walking environment. Benefits included: greater walker confidence; confidence Among tourists this figure is as high as80 per cent, and even among in finding their way; reduced clutter; improved maintenance; and more personal city-wise commuters the figure is60 per cent. security. MORI study for the London Borough of Islington 2005 Even using conservative assumptions, the benefits outweigh the costs. The initial This reported that49 per cent of respondents had seen and used map- appraisal therefore provides encouraging results, and presents Legible London as based signs, and of these 83 per cent were satisfied that the signs had a worthwhile investment. helped them find their way. Maps had assisted66 per cent with their

16 Legible London Legible London 17 Yellow book Yellow book journey, with 47 per cent saying that the maps had ‘encouraged’ In June 2006, Central London Partnership organised a day-long workshop them to walk. Only 5 per cent said that they did not find them useful. at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, where architects, transport specialists, business partnerships, local authorities, government departments, the police, Taken together, all this information supports the view that an integrated environmental groups and many others came together to discuss issues pertinent signage and information strategy for pedestrians in London can be expected to the Legible London scheme. Workshops facilitated by experts in their to deliver substantial dividends. Journey time is a more important factor than respective fields explored branding, hardware and technology, sign placement, distance when it comes to deciding whether to walk. Maps and signs can play clearance of visual clutter and practical maintenance considerations. The event an important part in forming these judgments. garnered wide enthusiasm for the project, with participants keen to know when the next stage would be going ahead. Consultation Legible London has been Getting everyone involved discussed with many groups including: The Legible London Exhibition – Transport for for London funded the original study behind Legible London and – The Mayor’s Office has co-funded aspects of the subsequent research and development with the In October 2006, as an exercise in public consultation, the Legible London – Greater London Authority London Development Agency. But there are many other stakeholders who have – London Development Exhibition was launched at New London Architecture on Store Street, London been consulted, kept informed of progress, and played their part along the way. Agency wc1. The instructive, interactive exhibition ran for six months, and was open – Design for London Interests and agendas surrounding issues of city wayfinding are unavoidably to the general public. Through a series of installations and demonstrations, it – Visit London diverse, and to make sure everyone was on board with the general approach, – Central London Partnership showcased the main principles and proposals for pedestrian wayfinding through – Most of London’s 33 it was important to engage all those who might be affected. the complicated streetscape of London. Feedback forms from the exhibition Boroughs including: Ask the audience – City of Legible London has provided a welcome opportunity for different London Several consultation events, showed that nearly 60 per cent of people who attended the exhibition had used – LB of Camden agencies to come together and work towards a common aim – creating an including an exhibition at a combination of the Tube or bus and walking to get there. – LB of Islington appealing, walking-friendly city that directly benefits the public at large. It New London Architecture, – LB of Southwark were organised to gauge Timed to coincide with the exhibition, a web site and associated blog was – RB of Kensington & Chelsea represents a unified effort that combines the skills, knowledge and resources public opinion and collect – LB of Lambeth launched at www.legiblelondon.info, explaining the rationale for Legible of Transport for London, the Mayor’s Office, the London Development Agency, responses to add to the – LB of Richmond-u-Thames development process. London, and inviting visitors to leave their feedback and take part in an online – LB of Hackney Central London Partnership, the London boroughs, the urban design and poll. The site attracted almost3000 visitors during the first three weeks of the – Corporation of London information design communities, the designers, as well as other agencies and – New West End Company exhibition, with the poll showing that 45 per cent found London street signage stakeholders. It is proving a complex, but ultimately rewarding experience. Uninformative – South Bank Employers Group ‘unpredictable’, while 54 per cent enjoyed walking and were prepared to do more – Major Landowners Information sharing, co-ordination and co-operation are vital in moving the Informative – Department for Transport of it. Other feedback showed that 35 per cent of respondents would be prepared initiative successfully forward, but the weight of a joint venture like this World class – CABE to walk for up to an hour a day. – Metropolitan Police creates more momentum and enthusiasm than is possible with a single agency – Accessibility Groups working in isolation. It’s also the means to achieve consistency and clarity – There was some interesting comment left on the blog too. Responding to the – RNIB Confusing – The urban and information the cornerstones of a coherent wayfinding system. question ‘What defines London’s villages?’, Peter commented: “Tube stations design communities inform most people’s perceptions of names for areas. Witness the number of – The general public Throughout the early development of Legible London, keeping the many people who talk about visiting ‘High Street Kensington’, when on the ground it interested parties informed and involved has been a key priority. To make certain is Kensington High Street, or when they are heading to Harrods this happened, a series of strategic initiatives were organised to disseminate and Unpredictable on Brompton Road.” Jasmine made a point about street clutter: “I think London discuss the latest study findings and recommendations. Confused? is a great city, but I cannot stand the funky signage – I understand the need Back in December 2005, the Legible London study was presented at a meeting 25% of people found current to preserve history and character, but can’t it still be people friendly? I know street signs in London attended by the central London boroughs as well as representatives from many confusing, while 4% thought something like this would cost money… but imagine the decrease in confusion outer London boroughs. The report was positively received, and there was general they were world class.1 and even congestion.” approval of the concepts and principles behind it.

18 Legible London Legible London 19 Yellow book Yellow book Two further consultation events hosted by Transport for London were arranged during the course of 2007. Held in June and October, these briefed the borough representatives on all the latest progress and developments and sought their advice on how to proceed. The effort and organisation involved in keeping everyone fully briefed and enthusiastic about the Legible London programme since its inception has been substantial. But this activity is an essential part of the development of the project. Ultimately, the boroughs and other stakeholders need to be fully behind the development and roll-out of a wayfinding strategy for London.

Bringing it all together As we’ve seen, there’s a compelling case for a comprehensive and coherent pedestrian wayfinding system for London. Some of the underlying principles needed to make it work have been touched on: I read you As well as mapping and signing, – The system needs to be a developed as part of a wider strategy to remove building design and urban form, street layout, lighting, street the physical and mental barriers to walking and to create incentives for people furniture and public art all play to walk. a part in creating a ‘legible’ city. A consistent approach to pedestrian wayfinding and information throughout the – The system needs to be based on a comprehensive understanding of what makes capital – and not just in the centre – would need agreed conventions (naming and a town or city truly legible. Mapping and signing are an important part of this. placement policies) and interventions (maps and signs). But other elements are important too, such as building design and urban form, Its core requirements include: street layout, lighting, use of street furniture and public art. – Helping pedestrians plan journeys and find their way with ease and confidence. – The system needs common characteristics wherever and however people encounter it. Pedestrians should be able to get to grips with the system quickly – Helping pedestrians build and reinforce an effective mental map of London. and remember how it works. This is an ideal opportunity to get rid – Creating a common, constantly updated central information system flexible of unnecessary clutter on the streets, by having as few signs as possible. enough for everything from maps and signs to websites, and suitable for local – It should also strike an appropriate balance between consistency and implementation. predictability on the one hand and the reflection of local character and diversity on the other. Structure and signage – The system should use ‘progressive disclosure’ – just enough information and not too much. To develop a coherent wayfinding system, there needs to be a core set of design principles or ‘architecture’ combined with public information interventions. – It should encourage ‘mental mapping’ by connecting areas, regions and The architecture governs the management and use of information throughout transport systems. the system, and will need to be formed by a set of master guidelines and manuals. – It needs to be an effective, high-quality system that engages the public. A Public information interventions are intended to provide pedestrians with London-wide programme would benefit from economies of scale in purchasing helpful information when needed, and to encourage the option of walking. and maintenance. These require consistency so that they are trusted and connected.

20 Legible London Legible London 21 Yellow book Yellow book Next steps Both these aspects of the wayfinding system must follow from a detailed understanding of how pedestrians find their way around towns and cities, The Oxford Street prototype puts the Legible London pedestrian wayfinding work alongside effective existing systems (like the tried-and-trusted Tube map), system through its paces for the very first time, and provides a valuable and be designed to a world-class standard. opportunity to evaluate its performance. Pilots and feasibility studies are worthwhile exercises, but you can’t beat having the system out on the street to establish its worth. Feedback and information on the prototype will be gathered Living map to discover whether the system has increased the number of journeys walked and helped people get to their destinations more efficiently. It will also establish Maps are one of the oldest forms of geographical information we have, and are whether people feel more confident in getting ‘lost’, knowing they can find their crucial in understanding street layout and the wider urban environment. They way back to the beaten path quickly and easily. And it will find out what they Image of the city are referred to regularly to plan and navigate a journey. Legible London envisages Harry Beck’s London think of the design of the maps and signs. Underground map is used by the development of a single, co-ordinated mapping system. From the master, 44.7% of people for planning maps of varying scales and formats can be extracted for different purposes. In the near future, other pilots and prototypes are set to get the green light, a journey in London 1. While The information and appearance would always be based on consistent design and aig have been asked to develop a draft pilot design manual to help achieve it’s extremely effective for navigating the Tube system, it principles, but adjusted for scale and usage. Centrally authored, continually consistency of application for the next tranche of larger-scale pilots. In addition is inadequate for pedestrian updated and digitally distributed, the system becomes a ‘living map’ for to the studies in Richmond and the South Bank, Westminster and Camden wayfinding. pedestrian information. Councils have been assessing feasibility in the Covent Garden area of London, and there is a need to build on the prototype with a wider roll-out of pedestrian The conventions, policies, tools and methods that together comprise the system wayfinding in the West End. Numerous other borough and private projects are need to be brought together in a ‘Walkers’ Wayfinding Manual for London’ that always in progress all over London, and how these will co-ordinate with Legible provides clear guidance for all agencies and stakeholders, but is still flexible London will be they key question if the project’s potential is to be fulfilled. enough to meet everyone’s needs. After installation of the prototype, there will be a pause while further testing and Some people can be sceptical about the need for maps, favouring a more evaluation takes place. Decisions on the development of the prototype to a full minimalist approach, with no-nonsense, streamlined directional signage. pan-London project are likely to be made in 2008. In the meantime, it’s hoped But it is important to distinguish between the aesthetics and usability of an that we have the beginnings of a world-class wayfinding system that could make information system. While these are linked they are distinct. Maps are an a positive contribution to the London 2012 Games and help realise the Mayor's efficient, straightforward way of communicating a wealth of information. They vision for a world-class walkable city. provide a rich experience, quickly answering questions relevant to the pedestrian – ‘Where am I now?’, ‘Which direction do I need to travel’, ‘How long will it Why not walk it? take me to get there?’, ‘How do I find the nearest...?’ Accustomed to the Internet, people are more sophisticated consumers of information than ever, used to interpreting rich information and cherry-picking the answers they need. On the street, aig have found that people react positively to the use of maps. As an experiment, they mocked up a sign with bespoke pedestrian mapping on it, and just held it up on a pavement near their studio. In the space of an hour,

Fit for purpose around 40 people approached unprompted to check it out. The vast majority Pedestrian-specific mapping is grasped its principles immediately and said they’d definitely make use of it. the way forward to encourage more walking. The living map concept can be applied across many media. As well as street signage, it could provide walking information for a mobile phone or pda, you could access it via the Internet, carry around a printed, folding pocket map, or it could be positioned the exit point of Tube stations showing you the best way to walk to where you need to be.

22 Legible London Legible London 23 Yellow book Yellow book Thinking out loud At this stage, Legible London is a prototype – that is, a proposed system that’s still in the process of being developed and refined. The following pages present a ‘visual diary’ of some of the ideas, drawings and design concepts that have influenced the way Legible London has evolved over the past months and years.

24 Legible London 25 Yellow book Who’s it for? Legible London is for all of London’s choices. A person’s ‘modus operandi’ – Different people have diffferent goals In these situations the availability of Different people travellers, it is designed to be inclusive their method by which they find their at different times, and their journeys local knowledge becomes even more Different goals of all people, and for all parts of the way – tells us a lot about how they are many and varied. Goals may often important. The system is devised to Different journeys capital. Whether that is someone may plan and carry out journeys; the change during a journey, for example support as many of these goals and with knowledge of an area or not, the methods identified in this book work when agreements to meet are altered, journeys as is possible. system supports and enhances their with this understanding. or when a toilet needs to be found. understanding to enable better walking

A strider’s journey primarily ‘Tube and walk’ A strider’s goals include in London. Their conceptual A learning journey An efficient journey efficient travelling. model of their journey is like Striders needs the walking ‘stones skimming accross the Novice strider Expert strider architecture to connect up pond’. The strategy is ‘get near, Has a specific destination Has internalised just what different transportation then find it’. in mind but doesn’t know is strictly necessary to fit modes and nodes – London too well. Interested with their daily routine. in learning quicker ways I'm here from A to B.

I'm there

Start Finish

A stroller’s journey street level – allowing A wandering journey An open-ended journey A stroller’s goals are them to drift, wander and memorable experiences. have the confidence to get Novice stroller Expert stroller Strollers need the walking lost. The conceptual model Uses their intuition Has an idea of where places system to work for them of a stroller is akin to to explore and discover are in the city and uses that opportunistically at the ‘ripples in a pond’. interesting places in knowledge opportunistically. the city.

Where shall we go? Or here? Here? Here?Here? Here?

Finish Start Finish Finish Finish

26 Legible London Legible London 27 Yellow book Yellow book Who’s it for? The theory of ‘mental mapping’ is itself and the knowledge and ability At the Legible London exhibition at Using the hippocampus Ways of seeing – How central to the way Legible London has of the traveller. New London Architecture, guests were The brain is like a muscle; the more we exercise certain people understand cities been conceived and developed. Though A successful pedestrian wayfinding invited to draw a map from memory. parts of it, the more developed it’s clear we all build maps in our heads system works with this understanding The results, shown on these two pages, they become. Here we see to navigate city streets, the way we do recognise this and finds a way to were highly revealing. the work of people with very so depends on a host of factors. Not least help everyone to build stronger, more different hippocampi – the area is the way in which the city presents sophisticated ‘mental maps’. of the brain associated with mental mapping.

Transport Linear This drawing describes This mental map demonstrates point-to-point journeys from the importance of backbone a hub (Brixton) through vague walking routes. Broad and spatial connections. The reasonably straight, Fleet further away from Brixton it Street provides the perfect gets, the looser it becomes. spine from which roads jut off The person who’s drawn this to the north and south. Names instinctively divides London are in the right order, but not into distinct ‘villages’. geographically. The level of detail and familiarity with the street names suggests that the person responsible has worked in this area for some years.

Misunderstandings This area is typified by the strength of the linear villages of Oxford and Regent Streets, as drawn here. But knowledge doesn’t seem to be strong, Piccadilly Circus has missed- Stick and ball out, along with many other This map is defined by landmarks. Interestingly, destinations (drawn as circles North does not seem to be and named) rather than the important to this author. routes (drawn as parallel lines and left unnamed). It is probably influenced by the Tube map, and emphasises the Human A-Z arrival rather than the journey. Possibly the work of a professional. The level of detail is exceptional, with accomplished draftsmanship and a thorough understanding of geographical relationships. Note the number of important landmarks (to the author!)

28 Legible London Legible London 29 Yellow book Yellow book Who’s it for? Reality can sometimes appear unusual. possible, the short walk could become Understanding ‘above ground’ The modes of travel we trust can a much more ‘front-of-mind’ choice for as well as ‘underground’ sometimes warp our sense of direction many of us. and distance. Many short journeys that The five-minute neighbourhoods could be walked are often taken using that exist in London, provide stepping another form of transport. Armed with stones to support attempts to make a fuller understanding of what is these short journeys.

Walkable Tube Map Five-minute walks 109 journeys between Tube The five-minute walk represents Stations in Central London are the natural size of an identifiable quicker to walk above-ground neighbourhood in London. than to travel by Tube. This diagram represents a five-minute walk from every Tube station. Connections become more obvious.

Walkable stations Stepping Stones Equally important as the From Covent Garden nine By loosely defining known need to connect known out of ten adjacent stations areas in terms of a five-minute areas is the need to refine are quicker to walk. walk, or 400m, journeys people’s knowledge of local Covent Garden between areas seem more and unfamiliar areas; this Berkeley Savile easily walkable. again will reduce people’s reluctance to walk because of a lack of confidence. Result: making connections SOHO Bank and solidifying local knowledge. Carnaby Chinatown

30 Legible London Legible London 31 Yellow book Yellow book Holford Myddelton Goswell Argyle Granville Northampton Kings Calthorpe Square Cartwright Exmouth St. John Old Street St Andrew St. Luke’s Hoxton Mount Tavistock Pleasant Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton University Green Street

Golden Bunhill South Park Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Road Fields Shoreditch Marylebone Road Russell Farringdon Chenies Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields Lisson Green Barbican Marylebone Smithfield Village Portland Tottenham Baker Court Road Bedford Square Finsbury Museum High Little Circus Holborn Rathbone Britain London Bryanston Circus Wall Bishopsgate Titchfield Lincolns Inn Guildhall St Christopher Cavendish St Giles Oxford Street Drury Edgware Road Chancery Lane Old Oxford Soho Charing Kingsway Bailey Petticoat Portman Circus North Lane WEST END Soho Square Cross Cheapside Oxford Street Road Aldgate Carnaby Seven St. Paul’s Cornhill Hanover HolfordBerwick Compton Dials Neal Street Market Temple Marble Arch South Regent CITY Molton Street ShaftesburyMyddelton Ave Goswell Blackfriars Cannon Street Golden Long Acre Grosvenor Square Chinatown Piazza Somerset Argyle Bond Savile House Eastcheap Street Leicester Kings PiccadillyGranville Circus Square St. Martin’sNorthamptonStrand Calthorpe The Tower Park Lane Cartwright Piccadilly Haymarket Trafalgar Jermyn ExmouthSquare St. John Old Street Northumberland St. Luke’s Hoxton St Andrew Tate Modern Shepherd Market Mount Coin Street Southbank Borough St James Market Tavistock Pleasant Centre London Palace Mall Whitehall Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton Waterloo Bridge University Green Street East High Green Park Street Little City County Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall SOUTH OF Hall Golden Guys Square South Park Hyde Park ClerkenwellDowning Station Bunhill Fitzroy Corner St James’s Park Street TheLane Shoreditch Buckingham Road Cut Fields Palace Russell Farringdon Leather Marylebone Road Lower Webber Chenies Parliament Marsh Market THE RIVER Market Tabard Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate WESTMINSTER Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields St. George’s Buckingham Westminster St. Thomas’s Lisson Green Petty LambethBarbican South Bank Abbey Marylebone Gate Abbey Smithfield Street Village Portland Tottenham France North University Newington Bedford Gardens Baker Court Road Finsbury Square Victoria Street Lambeth Elephant Museum & Castle Circus Bricklayers High Holborn Smith PalaceLittle Kennington New Kent Arms Holborn Road Road Rathbone Square Britain West London Bryanston Horseferry Circus Square Wall Bishopsgate Titchfield Lincolns Inn Lambeth Vincent Walk Cavendish Guildhall St Christopher Oxford Street St Giles Drury Chancery Lane Old Black Newington Edgware Road Oxford Kingsway Prince Butts Petticoat Portman North Soho Charing Bailey Circus Square Cross Kennington Lane WEST END Soho Tate Park Cheapside Oxford Street Road Britain Aldgate Carnaby Seven Cornhill Compton Spring St. Paul’s Hanover Berwick Dials Neal Street Gardens Market Temple Marble Arch South Regent Aldwych CITY Molton Street Shaftesbury Ave Blackfriars Cannon Street Golden Long Acre Grosvenor Square Chinatown Piazza Somerset Bond Savile House Eastcheap Street Leicester Piccadilly Circus Square St. Martin’s Strand Berkeley The Tower Park Lane Piccadilly Haymarket Trafalgar Jermyn Square Holford Holford Northumberland Goswell Goswell Tate ModernMyddelton Myddelton Coin Street Shepherd Market Argyle Borough Argyle Southbank Granville Northampton Kings Granville Northampton Kings FINSBURY St James Market Square Square Palace Centre Calthorpe Square London Calthorpe Square Mall Whitehall Cartwright Bridge Cartwright Waterloo Exmouth St. John Old Street Exmouth St. John Old Street East St Andrew High St. Luke’s Hoxton St Andrew St. Luke’s Hoxton Green Park MountStreet Little City Mount Tavistock Pleasant Hall Tavistock Pleasant County Waterloo CoramsNelson Fields ClerkenwellDorritGreat Sutton Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton SOUTH OF Hall University Green Street Guys University Green Street BLOOMSBURY Hyde Park Downing Station Square CLERKENWELL St James’s Park South Park The Golden Bunhill South Park Golden Bunhill Corner Street Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Road Fields Shoreditch Road Fields Shoreditch Buckingham Marylebone Road Cut Marylebone Road Palace Russell Farringdon Russell Farringdon Chenies Leather Chenies Harley Lower Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Guiding principles Belgravia As weLisson Green know from school, theCleveland best BloomsburyinformationFields Webber that graduallyMarket and logically Lissonbeen Green made for the purposesCleveland of evaluatingBloomsbury Fields Barbican Barbican ParliamentMarylebone Marsh Smithfield Marylebone Smithfield Village Portland Tottenham Village Portland Tottenham THE RIVER Baker Market Bedford Tabard Baker Bedford Court Road Court Road ALDERSGATE Square Finsbury Square Finsbury MuseumSt. George’sHigh Holborn Little Circus Museum High Holborn Little Circus WESTMINSTER Holborn Holborn The role of named places Buckingham way of processing hugeSt. swathes Thomas’s of sub-divides areasBritain into smallerLondon and in the prototype. The scales of named Britain London Westminster Rathbone Rathbone Petty Bryanston Lambeth South Bank Circus AbbeyWall Bishopsgate Bryanston Circus Wall Bishopsgate Gate Abbey Titchfield Titchfield France North UniversityLincolns Inn Street Lincolns Inn MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE Cavendish Newington Guildhall Cavendish Guildhall St Christopher Oxford Street St Giles St Christopher Oxford Street St Giles information is to divide them into Drury smaller chunks.ChanceryGardens Lane Old These chunks represent places represented here appear clearlyDrury Chancery Lane Old Edgware Road Oxford Kingsway Petticoat Edgware Road Oxford Kingsway Petticoat Portman North Soho Charing Bailey Portman North Soho Charing Bailey Circus Square Cross Lane Circus Square Cross Lane Soho Cheapside Soho Cheapside Oxford Street Road Elephant Aldgate Oxford Street Road Aldgate ST PAUL’S Victoria Street LambethCarnaby Seven Bricklayers Carnaby Seven & Castle St. Paul’s Cornhill St. Paul’s Cornhill less-intimidatingSmith manageableHanoverPalace Berwick chunks.ComptonKenningtonDials Neal Street historical, understandableNew Kent Arms and thoughout the wayfindingHanover Berwick information,Compton Dials Neal Street SOHO Market Road Temple Road Market Temple Marble Arch Square South Regent West Aldwych Marble Arch South Regent Aldwych Shaftesbury Ave Shaftesbury Ave Horseferry Molton Street Square Blackfriars Cannon Street Molton Street Blackfriars Cannon Street COVENT GARDEN Golden Long Acre Golden Long Acre FENCHURCH Similarly, successfullyGrosvenor Square Chinatown PiazzaidentifiableSomerset neighbourhoods. Initial from the tubeGrosvenor exit information,Square Chinatown on mapsPiazza Somerset Bond Savile House Eastcheap Bond Savile House Eastcheap Street Lambeth Leicester Street Leicester Walk Square Square Vincent Piccadilly Circus St. Martin’s Strand Piccadilly Circus St. Martin’s Strand MAYFAIR Millbank Berkeley Berkeley understanding the layout of London definitions of the villages and The Tower and on directional signs. The Tower Park Lane Park Lane Piccadilly Haymarket Trafalgar Piccadilly Haymarket Trafalgar Black Square Newington Square Jermyn Tate Modern Jermyn Tate Modern Prince NorthumberlandButts Northumberland is a matter of creating a hierarchy of nighbourhoodsSouthbank of the West End have Southbank Kennington Centre Borough Centre Borough Shepherd Market Coin Street Market London Shepherd Market Coin Street Market London Park Bridge Bridge Tate St James St James ST JAMES’S Britain Palace Mall Whitehall Palace Mall Whitehall SOUTHBANK Waterloo Waterloo East High East High Spring Street City Street City Green Park County Little Green Park County Little BANKSIDE Gardens Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall Hall Guys Hall Guys Downing Station Square Downing Station Square Hyde Park St James’s Park Hyde Park St James’s Park GREEN PARK Corner Street The Corner Street The WATERLOOAreas Villages Buckingham Cut Neighbourhoods Buckingham Cut BOROUGH Palace Palace Leather Leather Belgravia Lower Webber Belgravia Lower Webber Parliament Marsh Market Parliament Marsh Market These describe London in the Areas, in turn, are made up of several Market Tabard Within each ‘village’, there are many Market Tabard St. Thomas’s St. Thomas’s SOUTHWARK St. George’s St. George’s Buckingham Buckingham Petty Westminster South Bank Petty Westminster South Bank Gate Abbey Lambeth Gate Abbey Lambeth broadest terms, dividing it into large ‘villages’. The West End, for example,France North University Newington Abbey ‘neighbourhoods’. For example,France in Covent North University Newington Abbey VICTORIA LAMBETH NEWINGTON Gardens Street Gardens Street but easily distinguished chunks contains Soho, Mayfair and CoventVictoria Street Garden. Lambeth Garden, you’ll find SevenVictoria Dials, Street Neal’s Yard,Lambeth Smith Palace Kennington Elephant Smith Palace Kennington Elephant Square Road West & Castle Bricklayers Square Road West & Castle Bricklayers KENNINGTON Horseferry Square New Kent Arms Horseferry Square New Kent Arms such as the West End and the City. Again, these are familiar, commonly used Road The Central Market, Aldwych and Long Acre. Road Lambeth Lambeth Vincent Walk Vincent Walk Millbank Millbank PIMILICO names, which can help pedestrians quickly Black The more you visit a particular place, the Black Prince Prince Kennington Newington Kennington Newington VAUXHALL Park Butts Park Butts relate one place to another, and buildTate more you can keep sub-dividing itTate into smaller, Britain Britain Holford Spring Spring Holford Gardens Gardens the knowledge needed to assist in Goswell linked pieces, creating a more detailed mental Goswell Myddelton Myddelton mental mapping.Argyle map based on short walking distances. Argyle FINSBURY Granville Northampton Kings Granville Northampton Kings Calthorpe Square Square Calthorpe Square Square Cartwright Cartwright Exmouth St. John Old Street Exmouth St. John Old Street St Andrew St. Luke’s Hoxton St Andrew St. Luke’s Hoxton Mount Mount Tavistock Pleasant Tavistock Pleasant Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton BLOOMSBURY FINSBURY University Green StreetFINSBURY University Green Street CLERKENWELL South Park Golden Bunhill South Park Golden Bunhill Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Road Fields Shoreditch Road Fields Shoreditch Marylebone Road Russell Farringdon Marylebone Road Russell Farringdon Chenies Chenies Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Lisson Green Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields Lisson Green Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields Barbican Barbican Marylebone BLOOMSBURYSmithfield Marylebone Smithfield FITZROVIA BLOOMSBURY CLERKENWELL Village Portland Tottenham CLERKENWELL Village Portland Tottenham Baker Court Road Bedford Baker Court Road Bedford ALDERSGATE Square Finsbury Square Finsbury Museum High Holborn Little Circus Museum High Holborn Little Circus Holborn Holborn Rathbone Britain London Rathbone Britain London Bryanston FITZROVIACircus Wall Bishopsgate Bryanston Circus Wall Bishopsgate FITZROVIA ALDERSGATE Titchfield Holford ALDERSGATE Titchfield LincolnsMyddelton InnGoswell Lincolns Inn Argyle MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE Granville Northampton Kings Guildhall Guildhall Cavendish Square Cavendish St Giles Calthorpe St Giles St Christopher Oxford Street Cartwright St Christopher Oxford Street Drury Exmouth St. John Old Street Drury MARYLEBONE HOLBORN St Andrew St. Luke’s ChanceryHoxton Lane HOLBORNOld Chancery Lane Old EdgwareMOORGATE Road Oxford MARYLEBONE Mount MOORGATEPetticoat Edgware Road Oxford Petticoat Soho Tavistock KingswayPleasant Soho Kingsway Charing Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton Bailey Charing Bailey Portman North Green Portman North Circus University Street Lane Circus Lane Square Cross Golden Square Cross South Park Clerkenwell Bunhill Soho Fitzroy Lane Shoreditch Soho Road Fields Cheapside Cheapside RoadMarylebone Road Russell Farringdon Road Oxford Street Chenies Aldgate Oxford Street Aldgate Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate ST PAUL’S Carnaby Seven Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields Carnaby Seven Lisson Green Barbican Cornhill Cornhill Marylebone Smithfield ST PAUL’S Village Portland Tottenham St. Paul’s ST PAUL’S St. Paul’s ComptonBaker Court Road Bedford Compton Dials Square Finsbury Dials Hanover Berwick Neal StreetMuseum High Holborn Little Circus Hanover Berwick Neal Street Holborn Rathbone Britain London Bryanston Circus TempleWall Bishopsgate Temple Titchfield SOHO Market Lincolns Inn Market Marble Arch Cavendish Guildhall Marble Arch St Christopher Oxford Street St Giles Regent Drury AldwychChancery Lane Old Regent Aldwych South Edgware Road Oxford Kingsway Petticoat South Portman North Soho Charing Bailey SOHO Circus Square SOHO Lane WEST END Shaftesbury Ave Soho Cross Shaftesbury Ave Cheapside COVENT GARDEN Street Oxford Street Road COVENTAldgate GARDEN Street Molton Carnaby Seven Cornhill Blackfriars FENCHURCH Molton Blackfriars St. Paul’s Cannon Street Cannon Street FENCHURCH Hanover Berwick Compton Dials Neal Street Temple Golden Marble Arch Market Golden South Regent Aldwych COVENT GARDEN Long Acre Shaftesbury Ave Long Acre CITY Molton Street Chinatown Blackfriars Cannon Street Chinatown Golden Long Acre FENCHURCH Grosvenor Square Grosvenor Square Chinatown PiazzaPiazza Somerset Somerset Grosvenor Square Piazza Somerset Bond Savile House Eastcheap Bond Street Leicester Eastcheap Bond Eastcheap Savile MAYFAIRPiccadilly Circus Square St. Martin’s Strand House Savile House MAYFAIR Berkeley Street The Tower Street LeicesterPark Lane Leicester Piccadilly Haymarket Trafalgar Jermyn Square Square Northumberland Square Piccadilly Circus St. Martin’s Strand Tate Modern Piccadilly Circus St. Martin’s Strand Shepherd Market Coin Street Southbank Borough St James Market MAYFAIR Centre London Berkeley Palace Mall Whitehall Berkeley Waterloo Bridge East High The Tower The Tower Green Park Street Little City County Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall SOUTH OF Hall Guys Park Lane Hyde Park Downing Station Square Park Lane Piccadilly Corner St James’s Park Street The Piccadilly Trafalgar Buckingham Cut Trafalgar Haymarket Palace Haymarket Leather Belgravia Lower Webber Square Parliament Marsh Market Square SOUTHBANK BANKSIDE THE RIVER Jermyn Market Tabard Jermyn WESTMINSTER St. George’s SOUTHBANK BANKSIDE Buckingham St. Thomas’s Tate Modern Tate Modern Petty Westminster South Bank Abbey Gate Abbey Lambeth NorthumberlandFrance STNorth JAMES’SUniversity Newington Street Northumberland ST JAMES’S Southbank Gardens Southbank Victoria Street Lambeth Elephant & Castle Bricklayers Smith Palace Kennington New Kent Arms Borough Borough Square Road CentreWest Road Centre Shepherd Market Horseferry Square Coin Street Market London Shepherd Market Coin Street Market London Lambeth Vincent Walk Bridge Bridge GREEN PARK Millbank St James GREEN PARKBlack Newington St James Prince Butts BOROUGH Palace Kennington BOROUGH Palace WATERLOO Mall Tate Park WATERLOO Mall ST JAMES’S Whitehall Britain Whitehall SOUTHBANK Spring Waterloo Waterloo Gardens East High East High SOUTHWARK Street SOUTHWARK City Street City Green Park County Little Green Park County Little BANKSIDE Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall Hall Guys Hall Guys Downing Station Square Downing Station Square LAMBETH Hyde Park St James’s Park Hyde Park St James’s Park GREEN PARK Corner Street The LAMBETH Corner Street The Buckingham Holford Cut Holford Buckingham Cut WATERLOO NEWINGTON Goswell NEWINGTONGoswell VICTORIA VICTORIAMyddelton Myddelton BOROUGH Palace Argyle Argyle Palace FINSBURY Granville Northampton Kings LeatherGranville Northampton Kings Leather Calthorpe Square LowerSquare Calthorpe Square Square Lower Belgravia Cartwright Webber Cartwright Belgravia Webber Exmouth St. John Old Street Market Exmouth St. John Old Street Market Parliament St Andrew MarshSt. Luke’s Hoxton St Andrew St. Luke’s Hoxton Parliament Marsh KENNINGTON Mount KENNINGTON Mount Tavistock Pleasant Tavistock Pleasant PIMILICO Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton Corams Fields Clerkenwell Great Sutton Green Market Tabard Green Market Tabard BLOOMSBURY University Street University Street South Park St. Thomas’s PIMILICOGolden South Park Golden St. Thomas’s CLERKENWELL Bunhill Bunhill Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Fitzroy Clerkenwell Lane Road Fields Shoreditch Road Fields Shoreditch SOUTHWARK Marylebone Road Russell Farringdon St. George’s Marylebone Road Russell Farringdon St. George’s Buckingham Chenies Chenies Buckingham Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Harley Grays Inn Little Italy Broadgate Lisson Green Westminster Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields Lisson Green Cleveland Bloomsbury Fields Westminster Barbican Barbican Petty Marylebone Smithfield Lambeth VAUXHALLSouth Bank Marylebone Smithfield Petty Lambeth South Bank VAUXHALL FITZROVIA Gate Village Portland Tottenham Village Portland Tottenham Gate Baker Abbey Court Road Bedford Baker Court Road Bedford Abbey ALDERSGATE Square Finsbury Square Finsbury France Museum High Holborn Little NorthCircus University Museum High Holborn Abbey Little Circus France North University Abbey Holborn Newington Holborn Newington Rathbone Britain London Rathbone Britain London Bryanston Circus Wall Bishopsgate Bryanston Circus Wall Bishopsgate Titchfield Titchfield Street Street Lincolns Inn Gardens Lincolns Inn Gardens MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE Cavendish Guildhall Cavendish Guildhall St Christopher Oxford Street St Giles St Christopher Oxford Street St Giles Drury Chancery Lane Old Drury Chancery Lane Old LAMBETH Edgware Road Oxford Soho Charing Kingsway Petticoat Edgware Road Oxford Soho Charing Kingsway Petticoat Bailey Bailey NEWINGTON Portman Circus North Lane Portman Circus North Lane Square Cross Square Cross Soho Cheapside Soho Cheapside Oxford Street Road Aldgate Oxford Street Road Aldgate VICTORIA ST PAUL’S Carnaby Seven Cornhill Carnaby Seven Cornhill St. Paul’s St. Paul’s Hanover Berwick Compton Dials Neal Street Hanover Berwick Compton Dials Neal Street SOHO Market Temple Market Temple Victoria Street Marble Arch South Regent LambethAldwych Marble Arch South Regent Aldwych Victoria Street Lambeth Shaftesbury Ave Shaftesbury Ave Molton Street Blackfriars Cannon Street Molton Street Blackfriars Cannon Street COVENT GARDEN Golden Long Acre Kennington Elephant Golden Long Acre Kennington Elephant Square Chinatown PalaceSomerset Square Chinatown Somerset Palace FENCHURCH Grosvenor Smith Piazza Eastcheap Grosvenor Piazza Eastcheap Smith Bond Savile House Bond Savile House Street Leicester Road & Castle Street Leicester Road & Castle Piccadilly Circus Square St. Martin’s Strand West Piccadilly Circus SquareBricklayersSt. Martin’s Strand Square West Bricklayers MAYFAIR BerkeleySquare Berkeley The Tower The Tower Park Lane Park Lane New Kent New Kent KENNINGTON Horseferry Piccadilly Haymarket Trafalgar Square Piccadilly Haymarket TrafalgarArms Horseferry Square Arms Square Square Jermyn Tate Modern Jermyn Tate Modern Northumberland Northumberland Southbank Road Southbank Road Centre Borough Centre Borough Shepherd Market Coin Street Market London Shepherd Market Coin Street Market London Bridge Bridge St James Lambeth St James Lambeth ST JAMES’S Palace Mall Whitehall Palace Mall Whitehall SOUTHBANK Waterloo Waterloo East High East High Street City Street City Green Park County Walk Little Green Park County Little Walk BANKSIDE Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall Waterloo Nelson Dorrit Hall Vincent Hall Guys Hall Guys Vincent Downing Station Square Downing Station Square Hyde Park St James’s Park Hyde Park St James’s Park GREEN PARK Corner Millbank Street The Corner Street The Millbank WATERLOO Buckingham Cut Buckingham Cut BOROUGH Palace Palace Leather Leather Belgravia Lower Webber Belgravia Lower Webber Parliament Marsh Market Parliament Marsh Market PIMILICO Market Tabard Market Tabard St. Thomas’sBlack St. Thomas’s Black SOUTHWARK St. George’s St. George’s Buckingham Buckingham Petty Westminster South Bank Petty Westminster South Bank Gate Abbey Lambeth Gate Abbey Lambeth France PrinceNorth University Newington Abbey France North University Newington Abbey Prince VICTORIA LAMBETH NEWINGTON Gardens KenningtonStreet Newington Gardens Street Kennington Newington Victoria Street Lambeth Victoria Street Lambeth VAUXHALL Smith Palace Kennington Elephant Butts Smith Palace Kennington Elephant Butts Square Road West & Castle ParkBricklayers Square Road West & Castle Bricklayers Park KENNINGTON Horseferry Square New Kent Arms Horseferry Square New Kent Arms Road Road Tate Lambeth Lambeth Tate Vincent Walk Vincent Walk Britain Millbank Millbank Britain PIMILICO Black Black Spring Prince Prince Spring Kennington Newington Kennington Newington VAUXHALL Park Butts Park Butts Tate Tate Britain Gardens Britain Gardens Spring Spring Gardens Gardens

20 to 40 minute-walk FINSBURY 10 to 20 minute-walk FINSBURY 5 minute-walk

BLOOMSBURY BLOOMSBURY CLERKENWELL CLERKENWELL FITZROVIA FITZROVIA ALDERSGATE ALDERSGATE MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE ST PAUL’S ST PAUL’S SOHO COVENT GARDEN FENCHURCH SOHO COVENT GARDEN FENCHURCH MAYFAIR MAYFAIR

FINSBURY SOUTHBANK BANKSIDE SOUTHBANKFINSBURYBANKSIDE ST JAMES’S ST JAMES’S GREEN PARK GREEN PARK WATERLOO BOROUGH WATERLOO BOROUGH SOUTHWARK SOUTHWARK LAMBETH LAMBETH VICTORIA NEWINGTON VICTORIA NEWINGTON KENNINGTON KENNINGTON PIMILICO PIMILICO VAUXHALL BLOOMSBURYVAUXHALL BLOOMSBURY CLERKENWELL CLERKENWELL FITZROVIA FITZROVIA ALDERSGATE ALDERSGATE MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE MARYLEBONE HOLBORN MOORGATE ST PAUL’S ST PAUL’S SOHO COVENT GARDEN FENCHURCH SOHO COVENT GARDEN FENCHURCH 32 Legible London Legible London 33 MAYFAIR MAYFAIR Yellow book Yellow book

SOUTHBANK BANKSIDE SOUTHBANK BANKSIDE ST JAMES’S ST JAMES’S GREEN PARK GREEN PARK WATERLOO BOROUGH WATERLOO BOROUGH SOUTHWARK SOUTHWARK LAMBETH LAMBETH VICTORIA NEWINGTON VICTORIA NEWINGTON KENNINGTON KENNINGTON PIMILICO PIMILICO VAUXHALL VAUXHALL Guiding principles Any journey through central London bearings and, along with our memory, Looking for clues – The role is punctuated by countless examples of show us the way. The problem is, more of information in a journey directional information coming at the often than not, the available tools pedestrian in many different contexts present different pictures, resulting and media. As well as official street in a gap in understanding. signage, we use notable architecture and incidental information to get our

On the street Yes, there are plenty of Existing printed maps signs out there. In fact, You can take your an AIG study identified pick from hundreds Road signs Tube station 32 separate wayfinding of different maps of The British road signage While the Tube map has systems within the Central London aimed system is well-considered proved its worth over Central London at motorists, tourists, and has stood the test of many decades, directions Congestion Change Zone. shoppers or culture time. However, signs are for the onward journey on The trouble is, there’s no vultures. But very few often positioned too high foot are inconsistent and common standard, and of them answer questions and provide information better at some stations information can be that pedestrians need that’s not particularly than others. contradictory. to know. helpful to pedestrians.

Journey Planner Bus shelter Landmarks Final leg Before setting off, Though the information is Bridges, shops, Often we’re looking out travellers might plan their clearly aimed at bus users, intersections, notable for a particular building journey online or using bus stands and shelters buildings… all these or street number, but a printed street finder provide useful markers instinctively help us these vary widely, like the A-Z. These are for pedestrians, and often identify where we are as does our experience available in many different feature small maps of the and the direction we of a particular area. formats, and aren’t immediate streets. need to take. But before necessarily aimed at they’re any use, we need pedestrians. to build up knowledge and familiarity.

34 Legible London Legible London 35 Yellow book Yellow book Guiding principles An effective pedestrian wayfinding Listening to the questions when Providing answers system needs to answer key questions they arise, often unplanned, mostly to people’s questions at the appropriate time and place. unspoken, provides a structure to ‘Progressive disclosure’ – giving people inform the detail of what information just the right amount of information should be provided along the journey, just when they need it, is one of the key and what shouldn’t! principles behind Legible London.

Oops, we’re late. Covent Garden to We said we’d meet Soho…can I walk Sam outside Marble After I’ve seen that in ten minutes Arch Tube Station If that’s Liberty’s over the Mummies Ummm…not sure. without busting a gut? at 2pm. What’s the there, how do I cut at the British Is this Oxford Street I’m bursting! quickest way? through the back way Museum, where or Bond Street? to Piccadilly Circus? Where’s the nearest ladies can I grab a quick I need to get to John sandwich? Lewis to order a new toilet? washing machine… but will there be drop kerbs along the way for my wheelchair?

36 Legible London Legible London 37 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End Testing and refining. Testing and is an example of rapid prototyping – Getting feedback from the street refining. Testing and refining. Making a painstaking process that explores sure signage meets the needs of the man and adjusts solutions based on users’ and woman on the street is an ongoing, feedback at every turn. cyclical process that takes insight, patience and rigour. The development of the Legible London West End trial signs

Listening Exploring Testing Taking sketches and Thomas Edison tried over Trialling different options samples on to the street 1000 different materials and appearances during to garner immediate before he found the perfect development ensured feedback is a key method one for the lightbulb. Never solutions established a in the design process give up finding a way! best trade-off between the conflicting constraints.

Options Different options came from constant adjustments of the smallest details to find the right balance, or trade-off between appearance, function and level of production.

Mixing media Accessing information designed for many types of people in varied media was considered from the start.

38 Legible London Legible London 39 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End Legible London’s prototype design rigorously tests factors affecting approach are key considerations. A virtual model of a full area was first Evolving the design development takes its cue from the user’s experience before settling on Designs are improved, checked with created to test which concepts, designs both product and interactive design. a final version. users and improved again. Over 300 and amount of information would In automotive design, for example, Initial designs are developed three iterations of parts of the design have work best. This pre-prototype was full-scale models in clay and wood are times over, evolved, edited and adjusted gone into the launch of the prototype. tested with people and informed further made, assessed and improved before to achieve the longest-lasting solution. development. committing to the real thing; interactive Future expansion and a user-centric

3 Rapid prototyping The virtual model functioned both as a platform for draughting designs and as a visualisation tool for communicating the Legible London project.

8

Placement 36 One of the more Making the transition influential outcomes of The underground the pre-prototype was the environment was selection of appropriate reproduced accurately, sign locations; it was providing the opportunity found that a reduced to explore how walkers provision of signs could be could be guided to street just as effective if placed level and oriented above thoughtfully. ground effectively.

138

On-street integration 293 Additionally, the virtual model allowed for some early experimentation with extending the methodology and elements with other transport systems.

Evolutionary design Many combinations of visual elements are considered and tried against each other; the ‘fittest’ design retains the most informative graphics, having weeded out less effective versions. 40 Legible London Legible London 41 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End The system is devised for inclusion Many people need to plan a trip Universal design of everyone, no matter what level of before travelling. Over time it is hoped knowledge or ability they have. People that the system can expand to provide are all different. We all have trouble connected methods to better plan finding our way at some time, but some and then situate in the street. people need specific information to make a journey possible.

Typography Colour and contrast Useful detail A clear and recognisable The signs and maps use People with limited mobility, sans-serif typeface is common high contrast colours for including many older people, throughout the maps and signs. optimum legibility; a dark need to know how far it is to Where possible, upper and blue background with white walk to a place, and if there will lower case characters are used or yellow text is used in be any parks on the way in which for maximum legibility; conjunction with black text they can find a seat to rest. however, the cartographic on a yellow background. convention for capitalising important place names is also adopted. 3D buildings Linked appearance Useful detail People who struggle to read maps, Uppercase typography can also People with wheelchairs need including people with learning be found in the street names; to know if a route has steps or disabilities, will find the 3D this reflects the unified style of narrow pavements, and where buildings useful. They provide street nameplates. An added to find adapted toilets. Similarly, both a literal representation of key benefit of working with existing those with visual impairments landmarks, and make the reading “You are on the systems in this way is that need to know where pedestrian of maps more intuitive. south-west corner of speakers of languages with a crossing are as a safe place to Cavendish Square, in non-Roman alphabet may find cross the road. Marylebone, at the it easier to relate streets on the back of John Lewis map to street nameplates. department store and next to…”

Physically 1800 accessible Important information is located on the signs between 900 An inclusive wayfinding system and 1800mm above 900 the ground No pre-journey planning, uses Some pre-journey planning, Detailed pre-journey on-street information, out of but will look for on-street planning required interest and for reassurance information for reassurance on some journeys (so it needs to be consistent)

– R e s i d e n t – Person who is deaf or hard of hearing – Person using a wheelchair – C o m m u t e r (wants to avoid asking for directions) – Person who is blind or severely visually – Frequent visitor – Person with a visual impairment but has impaired. Awareness Connectivity – Person who has some hearing loss some vision A possible adaptation All kinds of supporting – Person with some limit on their mobility – Person with a learning disability or a for the future is a knowledge can be but can still manage steps learning difficulty system for helping the delivered to mobile – Person with a slight visual impairment – Person whose first language is not English visually impaired to devices through the but can read on-street maps and signs – Younger person, new or infrequent navigate by relaying signs; a ‘listen to this using an aid visitor, or an inexperienced city traveller their proximity to signs sign’ feature provides to a mobile device. helpful hints for visitors.

42 Legible London Legible London 43 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End The prototype covers a small area most prestigeous retail streets. Any Sign locations around . The prototype is a test, and this launch will station is actually 180 metres from New be rigorously tested and surveyed to see Bond Street (there is no street named what works best and what should evolve Bond Street) and the prototype goes and adapt. Nineteen new signs are going some way to clear-up any confusion in the ground and 46 existing objects are about how to find some of the capital’s being taken out of the same area.

Clutter reduction The replacement of redundant, unused information with a lesser number of useful signs will improve the image of the street whilst reducing distractions for walkers.

44 45 Prototype in the West End Because of the density of destinations prototype uses two main types of sign, A family of sign types in London, a map-based system is the the ‘monolith’ and the ‘minilith’ – they The ‘walker’ for walkers most appropriate and practical solution. act as both area identifiers and route All the signs are clearly identified by a yellow strip at It does away for the need to use many, supports, helping people to build their the top and a ‘walker’ – the many ‘fingerposts’ and in this context personal mental maps. universal symbol for travelling Addressing can alert the user to over 400 by foot. They stand above head The typography, colour coding destinations. The Legible London height so that they are clearly and naming conventions are visible from a distance. consistent with those on the Legible London printed walking maps and other elements of the system, so that they link up and work together as a Directional information coherent whole. Directional information is used Avery Row in two main ways: to show the Lancashire Court way towards villages and neighbourhoods, and act as a homing beacon for attractions. These have an important role in London, where major destinations are often obscured from view. Planner map The planner or 15-minute map is used to orientate the user and show how close the villages are to each other. It provides the user with the information needed to link areas of London and the confidence to attempt Finder map longer-distance walking The Finder or 5-minute map journeys. is used to find a destination – the end point of the journey. It is littered with useful landmarks – effectively a map of landmarks – so the user can be memorably guided towards specific streets and attractions.

Street finder This fills in the gaps. Most people are familiar with the convention of using alphabetically ordered street names and reference points to find individual streets on a map – it’s a means of quickly realising what’s just around the corner.

46 Legible London Legible London 47 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End ‘Heads up’ mapping helps people to orientate themselves

Mapping to allow people to better understand walks and where things are is central to the scheme. Maps, firmly fixed on signs are already orientated with respect to the environment and direction the user is facing.

Intuitive understanding When used in situ, heads-up maps offer a remarkably simple way of bridging the gap between the view ahead and its cartographic representation.

48 Legible London Legible London 49 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End Developing designs that complement to work in contemporary and challenge has been to develop a range footway. The innovative design of they feature a system design that allows Product innovation – fitting their urban context is essential. historically sensitive architectural of components that can be quickly and the signs’ bases ensures minimum them to be easily maintained and the product to the place The system needs to create a balance settings. seamlessly integrated into London’s disruption during installation. updated. Longevity, form and function between fitting into the streetscape and The primary function of any sign streets. Hence the ultra-slim ‘minilith’, Though prototypes, the proposed will help the signs become a familiar having enough presence to be useful system is to deliver information in the which can deliver much more signs have been designed and built to part of the streetscape. – the yellow beacon always visible in the most legible and accessible way to the information than a traditional finger last. Manufactured to impeccable distance. It also has to be flexible enough greatest number of people. The post sign, but impedes far less of the standards from high-quality materials,

Vitreous enamel beacon panel

Robust materials Acrylic Vitreous enamel panels lighting and shot peened stainless lens steel have been used to make sure the signs are durable and easy to clean. Vitreous Coated materials have enamel Flexible system been avoided because of graphic The sign form presents the gradual deterioration and panel opportunity for elements of the need for annual the cladding to be modified recoating. for local distinctiveness. Individual information elements are interchangeable Sustainability and updatable. The map Solar powered accent panels have also been Attention to detail lighting is being developed designed so that they can Though minimalist in form to reinforce recognition be either vitreous enamel attention has been paid at night. The need for mains or print behind glass. to every detail. The north power has been avoided indicator is adjustable but the signs have been to suit location, but along constructed to allow for with the base plates any future need of power and other cladding parts, or data required for the is secretly fixed in place. integration of other technologies. Peened stainless steel side channels

Aluminium powder coated side trim Optional Homing beacon vitreous A modular approach or glass has been employed to and digital maintain flexibility in use. graphical The yellow finial helps map panel ease of recognition and the design ensures fingers are sturdy and can not wbe rotated. Stainless steel base plates with adjustable north indiactor

50 Legible London 51 Yellow book Prototype in the West End Legible London is far from just a new of detail to provide glue and choice Continuity of information above sign system for the West End. It is the of how to get around. and below the streets continuation of the pulling together The scheme could eventually of travel information, exemplified connect pre-planning, information by London’s Bus and Tube networks on-the-go (increasingly delivered with working closely together. Legible hand-held devices) and connect this London adds in a vital walker’s level to signs in the street. Printed walking Arrival signs on the maps give users street establishes portable information orientation in a wider in the pocket context and sets walkers off in the right direction Predictability is Signs on street corners Bus shelters link bus required to provide familiar routes with walking maintain and reassurance, the choices improve a very possibility to plan an Mobile devices can strong addressing alternative, and help situate a user in the system build knowledge street, providing a wider context and search capabilities

Arrival information The language used on underground underground exit signs provides initial relates to that found orientation and above ground journey planning

52 Legible London Legible London 53 Yellow book Yellow book Prototype in the West End In preparing of a clear picture of inhabit – on signs, in-print, spoken are connected by the consistent naming Fitness for purpose the city, a set of formats emerge that or on-screen. Evident below are the of places and the visual representation be applied to a range of situations. different visual interpretations of the of content. This speeds up the reading The visual appearance of these formats, same geographic location. and understanding of information outlined below, is defined by the The result of the definition of these across different types of media, it questions they answer along a journey, formats is a coherent array of maps, provides a common linking thread that and the constraints of the media they signs, indexes, lists and diagrams that supports the way people learn.

Way out

MARYLEBONE, St Christopher, MAYFAIR, South Molton Exit 1 & 2 For Oxford Street, New Bond Street

MAYFAIR, South Molton, Grosvenor Exit 3 4 & 5 For South Molton Street, Grosvenor Square

London travel MARYLEBONE Exit Exit information Exit 1 St Christopher 020 MARYLEBONE MAYFAIR Above: Directional St Christopher South Molton information, maps for 7222 Underground stations, bus 1234 MAYFAIR stops and shelters all make 2 Oxford Street Oxford Street use of coherent terminology Exit South Molton Debenhams New Bond Street Listen and destinations. to London Walace Collection Grosvenor Square To hear about Wigmore Hall South Molton Street Right: Additional connections where you are Above: Scales represented for mobile phone users. call: on signs in the street, Royal College of Nursing MAYFAIR School of Economic Science Far right: Use of an index Exit 3 South Molton diagrams of villages, shopping and printed maps. 0870 maps and Tube exit signs. Buses Buses 240 Left: Walking connections Taxis Taxis in short-hand. 6094 Public Toilets Location 220 MAYFAIR Right: Future availability Exit 4 South Molton on mobile devices and online is possible.

Local services information Rubbish collected, 54 street cleaning, Legible London Legible London 55 noise complaints, Yellow book Yellow book street lighting, recycling 020 7641 2000

Feedback legiblelondon.info Scale The scale of Legible London is measured in time, which 3D buildings research shows is used more Illustrations of key buildings often for walking. are included; these provide a clear sense of scale and Villages strengthen the heads-up The village names are nature of the mapping. (typographically) the most prominent visual element. Most maps of this kind show two villages.

Neighbourhoods Contained within the villages, neighbourhoods are distinct clusters of a certain character or shared history. Active frontage Indication of clusters of buildings with street-level access for the public; in the West End, invariably shops.

Station entrances/exits Dashed lines leading to white Named places roundels signify underground/ Buildings included on the map Off-map destinations interior subways for the Tube. function both as landmarks and Nearby prominent locations destinations. The importance Building numbers are signed; generally, these placed on memorable These are subtly shown for are only a few minutes away. landmarks by pedestrians the benefit of users searching justifies their prominence. for a particular address.

Integrated transport Bus shelters, Tube stations and taxi ranks are clearly and comprehensively marked.

Relevant buildings With many viable places to highlight, those shown are derived from a comprehensive audit and selection criteria.

North marker A prerequisite for heads-up mapping is an easily found north marker; these are found on all maps and the bases of signs.

56 Legible London Legible London 57 Yellow book Yellow book So here it is… On 27 November 2007, the Legible to put into practice months of ideas, The prototype on the ground London prototype for the West End theories and research, to gauge public finally went live. Signs were erected reaction and evaluate the system. in the streets, walking maps were made Hopefully too, it helped visitors have available, phone information points a more positive experience of the area, were switched on, a website was to enjoy its attractions without the launched. Here at last, was a chance frustration of getting lost along the way.

58 Legible London Legible London 59 Yellow book Yellow book How was it for you? We value your Glossary Legibility Map Village opinion and would The degree to which a set eg A-Z eg Marylebone of elements convey useful A document (either printed An area of historical geographic like to know what information. The traditional or on screen) representing unity, often derived from you think about use of the word ‘legibility’ the layout of an area. In this modes of use and usually no the Legible London is used to describe how book, the term ‘map’ is used more than 1km square. A village prototype for the decipherable a set of to define any document which is usually made up of two or characters are in typography. represents the geography of more neighbourhoods West End. When referring to the ‘legibility’ an area with accuracy. Neighbourhood of a city, it is used to describe Diagram eg Chinatown the degree to which the urban Did you find it useful? (diagrammatic map) A small geographic area, environment is shaped in order eg the Tube map usually defined by mode of use. Did it help you find your to facilitate wayfinding. way around? A representation of an Neighbourhoods are grouped Wayfinding area which omits certain into ‘villages’. Was it easy to use? Using spatial and details in order to clarify Node environmental cues to move the overall understanding How could we make eg St Giles Circus from one place to another, and of the information involved. it better? The intersection of two tools designed to help decision Omissions may include or more routes or paths. making before and during the geographic accuracy or finer Please visit journey. Wayfinding is broken levels of detail. Path into two distinct phases – A defined and recognised www.legiblelondon.info Homing beacon planning and navigating. connection between nodes. to leave your comments A permanent post in the or suggestions for Planning ground which ‘points’ towards Route (as part of wayfinding) a landmark. It may also contain eg Jubilee Walk improvements. The act of analysing a journey other information such as the A type of path supported with before setting off. The analysis distance to the landmark. ‘wayfinding’ tools. should help the traveller make Minilith the journey more efficiently. A fixed, narrow sign containing Navigating wayfinding information. (as part of wayfinding) Monolith The act of finding your way A wide, fixed sign containing in the urban environment. wayfinding information. Similar This includes the use of to a ‘minilith’ but containing wayfinding tools, landmarks, more information and usually routes and nodes. located in areas with ‘dwell space’. Megalith A very wide, fixed sign containing wayfinding information. Similar to a ‘monolith’ and a ‘minilith’. Usually contains more ‘planning information. Often situated at major arrival points such as stations.

60 Legible London Legible London 61 Yellow book Yellow book References Sources and Bibliography A Pattern Language walking plan for London all-purpose Roads of the Draft Transport Streetscape Guidance – Traffic signs manual, chapter page 7 Christopher Alexander, Sarah Sustrans, 2003 Ministry of Transport, 1964 Strategy MORI / GLA Consultation Draft July 2004 7: The Design of Traffic Signs 1. ‘Oxford Street, Regent Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein Commission for Integrated Interchange Plan: Improving Metro Maps Mark Ovenden, TfL /Mayor of London DfT / HMSO, 2003 Street, Bond Street: An Action with Max Jacobson, Ingrid Transport MORI, July 2001 interchange in London Capital Transport Publishing, Streetscape: Putting policies Transport For Londoners Plan for the Retail Streets’ Fiksdahl-King and Shlomo Courts and Lanes Design TfL, August 2002 2003 into practice Royal Borough of Transport 2000 Trust, 2004 Angel. 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62 Legible London Legible London 63 Yellow book Yellow book Large text version available.

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Credits Yellow Book Further information Legible London study and Colophon Website system architecture devised Written by Jim Davies. www.legiblelondon.info by Applied Information Group Additional material by in association with Adrian Bell Jennifer Calvert, Adrian Bell, Lacock Gullam. Sustainable Mobility Manager Ben Plowden, Kasper de Graaf, Transport for London West End prototype realised Sam Gullam, Nick Durrant, [email protected] by AIG and Lacock Gullam, Tim Fendley and Ben Acornley. with seymourpowell and Tim Fendley Designed and produced consultancy review by Creative Director by Applied Information Group. Placemarque. Applied Information Group Photography Simon Hillier, [email protected] All copyrights in Legible Front cover by Ian Nolan. London are managed and controlled by Transport Printed by TPS on Howard for London for use in and Smith Regency, FSC, and promotion of the Greater Robert Horne Kaskad paper. London area. Mapping designed by AIG with cartography by Oxford Cartographers using Ordnance Survey source data. Ordnance Survey data are Crown Copyright. Signs manufactured by Woodhouse and installed by West One.

64 Legible London Yellow Book