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Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of The City of Toronto has embarked on a planning process to develop a unified and coherent Wayfinding System. This report documents the processes and outcomes of the strategy phase of the study and will serve to inform the City’s decision on whether to carry the project forward into implementation. For further Acknowledgments - Steering Committee information please contact: Judy Morgan PF&R Partnerships, Fiona Chapman City of Toronto, Manager Transport Services Tourism - Program Adam Popper (416)392-0828 Support, Director City of Toronto, PF&R - fchapma@ Tobias Novogrodsky Policy Planning, Policy toronto.ca City of Toronto, Officer (Alternate) Strategic & Briana Illingworth Prepared for the Corporate- , Strategic City of Toronto by: Corporate Policy, Policy & Systems Sr Corp Mmt & Planning, Advisor Steer Davies Gleave Policy Consultant 1500-330 Bay Street John Forestieri Toronto, ON Allen Vansen Metrolinx, Signage M5H 2S8 Pan Am 2015, Services, Supervisor Toronto 2015 Pan/ in association with: Parapan American Michael Johnston, DIALOG Games, CEO Go Transit, Capital Infrastructure, Katie Ozolins Manager, Standards Completed in Pan Am 2015, August 2012 Toronto 2015 Pan/ Hilary Ashworth All images by Steer Parapan American RGD , Executive Davies Gleave unless Games, Operations Director (Alternate) otherwise stated. Associate Lionel Gadoury (Alternate) RGD Ontario, President Tim Laspa John Kiru City of Toronto, TABIA, Executive City Planning, Director Program Manager Michael Comstock Roberto Stopnicki TABIA, President City of Toronto, (Alternate) Transportation Pam Laite Services - Traffic Tourism Toronto, Mgmt, Director Member Care, Director (Retired) Harrison Myles Currie TTC , Wayfinding & City of Toronto, Signage, Co-ordinator Transportation John Mende Services - Traffic City of Toronto, Mgmt, Director Transportation Services- Rob Richardson Infrastructure, Director City of Toronto,

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto p. 3

Introduction

A goal of Toronto’s Walking Strategy was the development of a consistent, multi-modal wayfinding system. The need for one has been highlighted in other city and regional studies and is timely in anticipation of the 2015 Pan-Am Games.

The City of Toronto’s Walking Strategy (2009), evaluated pilot implementation which will Further information on the project amongst other initiatives, sets out a vision for further inform the business case, refine funding process, a more liveable, prosperous and sustainable expanded reports, opportunities and form the basis of a suite of presentations on city. It is a plan to create high quality pedestrian design guidelines for a city-wide roll out. existing conditions and a summary environments and foster a culture of walking Phase Three covers the full implementation of international in all of Toronto’s neighbourhoods. best practices of the wayfinding strategy across the city. and stakeholder The creation of a multi-modal wayfinding outreach is included about this report system is a goal of the City’s Walking Strategy in the Toronto 360 This report summarizes the outcomes of the Wayfinding Strategy which “aims to create an environment where report appendices. walking is an appealing, convenient, safe Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) Please visit our study, which began in September 2011. The website (http:// and stimulating experience for residents www.toronto.ca/ and visitors”. The development of a study aimed to establish robust foundations transportation/ for the development and delivery of a high- walking/wayfinding. wayfinding system is also timely, as the htm) if you would quality wayfinding system for Toronto. like access to 2015 Pan-Am Games will attract significant further information. media attention and visitors to Toronto. The report is structured into 3 The City’s long-term goal, to develop and sections plus an introduction. implement a coherent wayfinding system œ The introduction describes the study in Toronto, extends across transportation objectives and the policy context. modes and includes state of the art œ Section 1 “Understanding” summarizes technologies. This goal, of a unified, multi- the findings from on-site observations, modal wayfinding system, is shared by city including gaps and opportunities; it businesses, cultural and sports institutions, incorporates an overview of the challenges residents, commuters and tourists. of consistent naming, a brief review of The Public Realm Section of the Transportation international best practices, and the Services Division commissioned a team of results of stakeholder outreach activities. consultants, Steer Davies Gleave and Dialog, œ Section 2 “Wayfinding Strategy” to assist the City to develop Phase One of describes the design framework, the Wayfinding System Strategy. This phase system components, and their possible of the project developed a multi-modal application to interim pilot areas. wayfinding framework for Toronto, including œ Section 3 “Delivery” section describes design principles, implementation strategy, a high-level project plan, budget outline business case, funding sources, and implications, a summary of the Outline the parameters for a pilot implementation. Business Case, and future funding If approved, Phase Two will include design options and opportunities for the City. development, product prototyping and an

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 4 introduction

What is wayfinding?

A wayfinding system enables people to orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place.

Kevin Lynch is City wayfinding relates to the built and the a system for toronto widely regarded as the originator of the natural environment and makes streets, Toronto faces many of the challenges of other term wayfinding. His book The Image of neighbourhoods, and the city more “legible”, metropolitan cities, balancing the need to provide the City (MIT Press helping people to find their way. Wayfinding efficient multi-modal transportation choice with 1960), established the core principles is more than signs—it includes names, maps, the requirements for a liveable city, with public of legibility for an new media, and elements of the public realm space that residents and visitors can enjoy. urban context. He argued that, as such as lighting, street furniture and public art. The tourism experience can be enhanced people navigate places, they Many cities such as London, New York, Bogota if visitors can easily find their way to key understand their and Vancouver have recently developed destinations or are able to join local residents surroundings in consistent and wayfinding strategies in response to significant in exploring Toronto’s unique neighbourhoods. predictable ways, transportation challenges and/or major A unified wayfinding system adds to the forming “mental maps” with events such as the Olympics. The successful vibrancy of the city’s streetscape and also helps five elements: implementation of a unified wayfinding build and foster the city’s unique identity. paths, edges, districts, nodes system will deliver significant, proven benefits Multiple formal and informal attempts to provide and landmarks. to residents, businesses, and tourists. Contemporary wayfinding information can be found around the wayfinding systems why now? city, in particular around downtown and tourist have built on the attractions, yet a consistent and comprehensive principles set out Toronto’s BIAs (Business Improvement in Lynch’s book to system remains a far-reaching aspiration. develop information Areas), cultural institutions, sports venues hierarchies that and tourism community have long advocated The Toronto Wayfinding System Strategy vision support the creation of mental mapping the need for a city-wide wayfinding system. was to develop common wayfinding principles and legible places. The need for wayfinding is also highlighted that would encourage walking in Toronto, taking in the City’s Walking Strategy and a recent account of the needs of Toronto’s stakeholders, review of the PATH system (underground and to support the future implementation walking/shopping path system). The growth in of a family of wayfinding components. The visitor numbers, and the 2015 PanAm Games system should spiral outwards to enable make this a timely opportunity to take the project partners to adopt these principles initial steps towards delivery of this goal. for their own schemes—utilizing naming, hierarchies, colour coding, look & feel and other conventions to make the system theirs. The long-term vision is to provide the city with a consistent wayfinding system but also to influence the city’s urban design to support intuitive wayfinding and facilitate natural movement.

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto introduction p. 5

Objectives

Wayfinding is more than connecting A to B, it encompasses all urban behaviour, from orientation to identification to exploration to discovery. Its benefits are wide reaching for visitors, residents and businesses covering public health, economy and the street environment.

encourage exploration, wandering & discovery

It’s not only visitors who benefit from wayfinding. Locals are also provided with tools to rediscover the city and to ‘get lost’ in the knowledge that they will find their way back.

stimulate economic growth

identify and connect places More people walking means more local business. More people on the streets makes neighbourhoods safer, more vibrant While it is relatively easy and attractive. to know where you are in reduce reliance build confidence Toronto, the challenge lies on the car/ and trust to in understanding how the public transport walk city’s places connect— conceptually, at first and then by foot, cycling, public transportation or car. Reducing reliance on a single Physical and psychological mode of transportation not barriers and a frequent only encourages better use overestimation of walk of networks but also gives distances/times have been people the opportunity to identified as some of the react to disruptions and main deterrents for walking. re-plan the journey.

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 6 introduction

Directional policy & related projects

The need for a unified wayfinding system for Toronto has been highlighted in various studies and related projects. The solution needs to adhere to existing policy, in particular those related to walking and street furniture.

Toronto Walking A policy review identified the objectives toronto walking strategy Strategy is an overarching policy and strategies that underpin current The Walking Strategy is supported by a number that envisions of other policies such as the Official Plan, a walkable wayfinding-related initiatives in Toronto. Toronto, where Around a dozen policy and planning documents the Toronto Pedestrian Charter, International streets, parks and Charter for Walking, and other guidelines and neighbourhoods were reviewed and can be aggregated are accessible, programs, such as the Vibrant Streets policy. secure, vibrant into a hierarchy of two categories: and enjoyable, Directional policy: provides guiding policy The walkable Toronto concept builds on encouraging people a number of policies and documents to walk more often. direction for wayfinding and includes: that support walkable communities and œ Walking Strategy the creation of urban environments that œ City of Toronto Accessibility support increased pedestrian activity. Design Guidelines (2004) Objectives of the Walking Strategy of œ Identification and Directional particular relevance to the development Road Signage Policy of the Wayfinding Strategy include: œ City of Toronto Official Plan Vibrant Streets: œ To support and nurture a culture of Toronto’s Related Projects: includes relevant projects, walking throughout the city; Coordinated Street Furniture Program studies, and policy with specific wayfinding œ For all city sidewalks and walkways to be (2010) is Toronto’s and signage strategies. The review included: coordinated clear, accessible and easy to navigate; street furniture œ Cultural Institutions in the Public Realm design and policy œ For public and private city building guideline. One of œ PATH Master Plan (2011) projects to provide opportunities to create the main objectives of the Vibrant œ INFOTOGO Pillars a high-quality walking environment; Streets Policy is to harmonize œ Metrolinx (GO Transit) Static œ To make walking easy and enjoyable through the design, form, Signage Catalogue provision of tools for navigating the city scale, materials and placement There is also a wealth of related bylaws and on foot, such as signage and maps; of street furniture to contribute guidelines that determine the placement of œ To coordinate pedestrian-focused to accessibility, street furnishing elements such as TTC Technical projects and initiatives across safety, and beauty of public spaces Guidelines for Placement of Transit Stops, the city divisions and agencies; in Toronto. Streetscape Manual, and related zoning by-laws. œ To transform areas poorly designed for walking, neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood, into places where people want to walk.

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto introduction p. 7

vibrant streets œ Establish a program for ongoing City of Toronto Accessibility The Vibrant Streets program focuses on maintenance and renewal; Design Guidelines (2004) is an harmonizing the design and placement of street œ Achieve attractive streetscapes through overarching policy amenities to reduce clutter, beautify city streets a high standard of civic design; that envisions and give Toronto an identifiable streetscape, a walkable œ Enhance the safety of city streets; and Toronto, where and to work concurrently with improvements streets, parks and œ Promote and enhance Toronto’s identity. neighbourhoods to other elements in the public right-of-way, are accessible. such as tree planting, decorative paving, These themes were cross-checked with pedestrian clearways, parking, and street signs. the main policies to inform the vision and Identification and principles of the Toronto Wayfinding System. Directional Road The policies relevant to the Toronto Wayfinding Signage Policy There were four main themes that establishes Strategy filter down from three main aspirations identification described in the Vibrant Streets vision: emerged from the review process: signage (neighbourhoods œ A cohesive and exceptional design quality; œ Functionality and coordinated and communities) street furniture; and directional œ Function in terms of safety, destination signage accessibility and placement; and œ Ease of pedestrian movement (major attractions). and accessibility; œ Aesthetically appealing, functional, City of Toronto safe, and an accessible public realm. œ Attractive design; and Official Plan Streets will be To achieve these aspirations, the overarching œ Safety and security. designed to perform their diverse and more supportive policies reported seven The Toronto Wayfinding System Strategy should roles, balancing key-themes that are largely consistent throughout seek adherence with these strategies and tailor the spatial needs of existing and the directional policies. These were to: objectives to city, district, and site level. future users within the right-of-way. œ Implement a family of beautiful, This includes functional, technologically flexible, pedestrians, people with mobility aids, durable and coordinated furniture transit, bicycles, for the streets of Toronto; automobiles, utilities and œ Promote ease of pedestrian movement landscaping. and accessibility through the placement and design of furniture; œ Generate a fiscally responsible street furniture program;

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy 1 Understanding

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto understanding p. 9

1.1 Building a mental map of the city

Many things make Toronto special. The city has many distinctive features that not only engage people’s attention but also help with orientation and navigation. These features form the basis for the development of a mental map of the city.*

lakeshore / city of neighbourhoods * Mental maps: waterfront We all build maps Many of the city’s in our heads to As with many coastal cities, neighbourhoods have strong navigate city streets, how we Lake Ontario provides a cultural identities adding do so depends on clearly defined limit to diversity to the urban landscape. a host of factors. The more we one edge of the city. Identity is expressed travel a particular through a combination route, the clearer it becomes in of retail signing, street our mind’s eye. names, architecture, A successful pedestrian and institutional or wayfinding system informal graphics. should recognize this and find ways to help everyone downtown highrises cultural institutions build a stronger, more coherent The concentration of downtown Many of Toronto’s cultural mental map. highrises are visible from many parts institutions have statement/ of the city and provide an flagship buildings that act as local intuitive wayfinding or citywide point of reference. landmarks.

cn tower civic buildings The CN Tower dominates the city City Hall’s architecture stands skyline and acts as a visual reference out as one of Toronto’s most point visible from afar. The CN Tower is recognizable features Toronto’s most recognizable landmark although it is not visible and is a cornerstone of the city’s from a distance. Nathan image for residents and visitors. Phillips Square, in front of City Hall is a civic space and a popular recreational destination for residents.

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 10 understanding

1.2 Understanding Toronto

A city is not only understood through the urban landscape but also through words. Official names often juxtapose with common, learned or historical ones. Building agreement on naming requires a clear city-wide policy that forms the basis for engagement and debate at a local level.

lakeshore, There are many factors that have an impact 1 : 500,000 highways and on the naming of a city’s areas and places, water features including urban form, parks, natural systems The lakeshore edge, highways 401, and paths, administrative and neighbourhood 404 (DVP) and the boundaries, business improvement areas, frame a distinct, high historic districts, destination areas, existing level organization signage systems, and transportation systems. of the city. Water features, such as To build an understanding of Toronto’s naming rivers and creeks, are less distinct on the conventions the project team compiled and city map but provide plotted multiple geographic datasests in a clearly defined edges on the ground. Geographical Information System (GIS). Map

data was supplied by the City of Toronto former 1 : 500,000 (open map), Metrolinx and Tourism Toronto. municipalities The baseline data collated included: Pre-amalgamation municipality names œ Parks and open spaces sca contribute to the complex mix of œ Administrative/neighbourhoods heritage naming york across the city. oke œ Business Improvement Areas Some of these names, such as œ Heritage Conservation Districts , remain œ Destinations and Attractions in common usage while others have œ Commuter Rail faded into obscurity. œ Built form

œ Transit stops and railroads transit and 1 : 500,000 MILLIKEN railroads Toronto- York University GO Bus Terminal At York B YORK UNIVERSITY The following images show some of the OLDLD CUMMERC Toronto- Finch Bus Terminal At Yonge Stt Commuter transit

naming conventions embedded in the different AGINCOURT OORIOLERIOLE links spread across

databases and their geographic distribution. Toronto- Yorkrk Mills Terminal At Yonge St Toronto, the GTA OBICOKE - Yorkdale Go Bus Terminal At and beyond, and are WESTON In general, districts get smaller as they get often represented closer to the downtown area and vice versa. KENNEDY on area maps. SCARBOROUG At ground level, transit

The definition and relevance to users of DADANFODANFORTH BLOOR infrastructure and PLING lines often create Toronto- Union names and boundaries at a local level requires Station Bus Terminal EXHIBITION UNION barriers to movement detailed engagement with local communities. with few permeable pedestrian links.

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto understanding p. 11

wards bias * Mapping 1 : 100,000 1 : 100,000 rosedale main street neighbourhoods, toronto centre-e Ward boundaries form annex-dupont The exact boundaries trinity- a significant part of ge of Business as seen by the rosedale (27) bloor-yorkville community, is a spadina (20) dan Improvement Areas much of the City’s rea town bloor annex mirvish village project led by the cartography. However, age change according to Toronto Star that from a wayfinding harbord street cabbagetown their active members. perspective, these church-wellesely village BIA brands are highlights the nade overlap between boundaries have little italy cabbagetown increasingly visible official and common inity- limited meaning rinity- on-street and on on the ground. chinatown marketing materials. names. It also dina (19)9)) west historic queen street eas demonstrates an n west While strong branding helps raise BIA opportunity to match toronto centre st. lawrence market neighbourhood boundaries and toronto entertainment district visibility, it can also rosedale (28) serve to diminish the names via active public participation. waterfront, the profile of surrounding, non-BIA areas. Adoption of consistent naming is one of the neighbourhood attractions 1 : 100,000 Rosedale-Moore Park 1 : 100,000 cornerstones of a successful cti Although Toronto is Current databases list Annex known by its variety a broad mix of private wayfinding system. of neighbourhoods, and public places North some being clearly of interest. These St. James noticeable in the are often organized merston- University Bay Street Town tle Italy Corridor Cabbagetown- urban landscape, in categories with South St.James Tow their exact boundaries attractions mainly Church-Yonge remain a matter for concentrated in the rinity- Kensington- Corridor Regent Par lwoods Chinatown discussion. The image downtown area and shows neighbourhood along major corridors limits included in the and highways. City’s open database. Waterfront Communities-The Island gara

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