y W

Cricket Club K Hogg's Hollow R A

P Denlow Y p. 13 E

L L A V

Bedford Park N

O Yonge Lawrence Village O'Connor Hills D Wanless Park Bridle Path

WexfoWr

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Y Lawrence Park A

W

K

R A

P Sherwood Park

Y

Uptown Yonge E Wynford-ConcordeL L

A

V Allenby North

N O

Eglinton Way, The D

The map sample Mount Pleasant displays a hierarchical ordering of the city’s Forest Hill areas, corridors, neighbourhoods, main streets and places of interest. Topham Park Forest Hill Village This ordering ParkviewPa kv ew HHillsilllslss Heathbridge Park includes less Deer Park formalized names, Bennington Heights such as those used Moore Park Y by BIAs and other Rosehill A Governor's Bridge W K groups. A BIA name R A Woodbine Gardenscould, for instance, Loma South Hill P represent both a

Summerhill Y main street and the E Rathnelly L neighbourhood. Rosedale L n Village Main A Street Annex-Dupont V A consolidated Rosedale GIS map base Oakrid N O will become an D important study Annex, The Yorkville asset and the data Bloor-BloBloooro Crossroads Of T YorkvilleYorkvYkorkvorkviilleillill Danforthwill Village form the basis of Danforth, The Danforth Mosaic oorr AnneA Annexne BloorBlooB orr StreetStrStStreerer ett a citywide Toronto Greektown On The Danforth Danforth, The HuronHuroH oonn map in Phase Two

SussexSSussex UpperUpper StSSt.t J James Y of the project. Jarvis Town A Pocket, The

Church- arbord Street W

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rd Village University Village R Hunt C of Toronto Queen’s Park A Upper Beach Church-Wellesely Cabbagetown P Village Cabbagetown

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L sington L ngton Market Cabbagetown A Discovery Ryerson South V Fallingbrook District Chinatown Downtown Garden Yonge Beach, The District N Grange xandra Park O Riverside-South Riverdale Park D Beach, The Riverside Historic East Queen Street West Corktown ashion St James Old Town istrict Financial District llington St. Lawrence St. Lawrence SCADDINCADDING AVE Place Distillery Toronto Market District Entertainment Neighbourhood District Union Station Cityplace D I N E R X Y E Waterfront,Harbourfront The ay

Ward's Island

Algonquin Island Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 14 understanding

1.3 Case study areas

Five case study areas were selected for detailed observation and urban analysis. The areas exhibit many of the city’s typical characteristics that define the quality of legibility and movement.

The case studies identified a diverse range of Toronto’s wayfinding challenges and opportunities. The data collected was used to support development and testing of the wayfinding strategy. The areas demonstrated many typical characteristics of the A east downtown B downtown centre city—including barriers, edges, connections, and destinations— The Esplanade has a dual role, Pedestrian activity is generated to highlight the legibility and both as a leisure walk and as by employees, business visitors, walkability of the public realm. a key pedestrian and cycle service people and other office- link from St Lawrence Market related activities—particularly The areas also had to be to the . around the Financial District. significant for tourists, transit users, and residents, and Internal and external Commuters from Union Station to include a concentration areas around St Lawrence combine with passengers from of amenities, destinations Market create pleasant other transit modes in central and activities. spaces that invite people downtown resulting in the to wander and shop. city’s greatest concentration Areas were all of a walkable of transit-related activity. scale (approx 1.5 km radius). High levels of activity to/ Locations are shown below. from on-street and municipal Retail and leisure activities parking was observed around generate consistently high the Distillery District area. levels of pedestrian movements perceived barriers on , Dundas Square

404 and the main shopping centres. 400 E 401 Gardiner Expressway, Lakeshore

DON VALLEY PARKWAY E 427 Drive and railroad underpasses perceived barriers C A GARDINER EXPY D B as barriers to the Waterfront. Lack of active frontages in Construction sites and the financial centre, with A uninviting sidewalks around activities and convenience retail C happening below grade (PATH). B development sites. Connection to waterfront: D intimidating underpasses and sidewalks.

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto understanding p. 15

It was intended that one or more of these areas would become Pilot Area(s) for Phase Two of this project. See pages 42-43 for more detail on the selected interim Pilot Areas (East Downtown and Morningside).

C queen/spadina D E morningside/military trail Retail activity dominates Pedestrian activity around Pedestrian activity around in Queen Street with a is limited the residential area is mainly concentration of active to special events and sports practical trips to/from main frontages and high number venues—otherwise activity streets, bus stops, and local of pedestrians. Strong is almost exclusively car destinations such as schools. pedestrian activity was also dominated. The area is a Students generate much of observed in Chinatown. destination, not a link, so it feels the walking activity to/from/ The and abandoned when not in use. around the campus. This Chinatown areas encourage Commuting activity was includes movements from local leisurely strolling around observed to/from GO parking lots and bus stops. the sometimes narrow Exhibition Stop and from Leisure walking and dog walking sidewalks and stalls. the Liberty Village area. were observed in residential The area has many individual The area has continuous, if areas and local parks. theatres and cultural institutions not intense, pedestrian traffic perceived barriers that act as destinations generated by local retail. Non-existent sidewalks. generating one-off or infrequent (weekday observation) Long walking distances. trips from visitors and residents. perceived barriers perceived barriers The railroad separates Liberty Negotiating residential areas Village from West Queen West. (mostly for visitors). Long walk distances On-street obstacles related to between areas of interest. retail/street market activities.

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy where am i ?

where am i ? where is ______? how do i get there? understanding p. 17

1.4 Wayfinding opportunities

The nature of the city’s street layout, together with the many urban and natural characteristics that are particular to Toronto, provide a generous resource to explore and incorporate in a formal wayfinding system.

orientation statement buildings The CN Tower and downtown highrises Toronto has many civic and cultural provide intuitive wayfinding reference buildings with bold architectural features points from much of central Toronto. that make them recognizable city- Definition of the city’s southern edge by Lake wide and as local reference points. along with unobstructed views to the Recognizable landmarks are an important asset downtown combine to aid pedestrian orientation for the construction of a wayfinding strategy and and understanding of walk distances. help users to build their mental map of the city. The outer highrises pin-point more remote street names / corridors areas for walkers with greater local knowledge— Many streets in Toronto, not only Yonge “the particularly along the Yonge corridor longest street in the world”, run for miles comprising Deer Park/St Clair, Eglinton Ave/ in the same general direction and—more Uptown Yonge, /Willowdale. importantly— retain the same names. On- The highrises and flat/clear views offset street, roads are generally well labelled and Toronto’s lack of distinctive natural form links for short pedestrian trips as well features such as numerous hills. as longer car/transit/streetcar journeys. clear boundaries neighbourhoods / bias The Lake Ontario shore limits the city’s southern Neighbourhood and BIA names and logos are edge and defines its layout. Toronto’s street grid incorporated across street name plates, signs acknowledges this feature and is laid-out mostly and banners, as well as less obvious street parallel and perpendicular to it resulting in a furniture such as litter bins and newspaper street grid that is almost exactly aligned N.S.E.W. dispensers, making it relatively easy to know the Elevated highways—such Gardiner Expressway names of places when walking in central Toronto. and Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (401)— The cultural heritage of neighbourhoods are clearly visible and act as distinctive and formal BIA initiatives have also shaped landmarks aiding mental mapping. the urban landscape, making many places Natural features, such as the Humber and in Toronto instantly recognizable. Don valleys, run mostly north to south and Institutional districts are also well labelled and delimit central Toronto. Boundaries with contribute to a network of recognizable, named the wider GTA are less obvious. A downside areas. There would appear to be minimal conflict of these strong edges is that they can between historical, BIAs and “new” names. form perceptual barriers to movement.

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 18 understanding

1.5 Streetscape & wayfinding

Toronto has a profusion of formal and informal signage and information systems. From humble road signs to interactive booths, all of these contribute to people’s understanding of the city with varying levels of success.

road signs

Blue street name plates are consistently Street names provide drivers and pedestrian positioned at intersections. with predictable locational information.

Road signs that direct people to The few observed copy the colour scheme Cycle routes form part of a numbered route destinations are hard to find. but without adhering to a standard layout. system and are signified by blue plates. traditional street names plates

A standardization process is gradually replacing Acorn signs were traditionally personalized to Forming part of a coordinated strategy to break older name plates, including traditional “acorns”. reflect the identities of neighbourhoods and BIAs. district into smaller quarters in In Old Town Toronto. new street names plates

A new design is being implemented across the city. It shares some characteristics with The new design retains opportunities the coordinated street furniture program and also reflects the City’s visual identity. to personalize the plates. banners

Banners on lighting columns are common, Cultural and educational institutions use Banners are also used to advertise serving both wayfinding and advertising. banners in their immediate surroundings. events or simply as advertising.

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto understanding p. 19

Streetscape & Wayfinding

coordinated street furniture program

The street furniture products share a common Reshaping the city’s image through the material and colour palette creating a installation of contemporary urban furniture. consistent feel and coordinated appearance.

info to go (prototype)

The original design was abandoned and a A street map of central Toronto and a list of The design proven impractical. revised design has recently been launched. key destinations was installed on the unit.

info pillar

The new info pillar incorporates two advertising The information function is advertised by a panels with a map case facing the sidewalk. yellow circle with an “i” that acts as a beacon.

discovery walk(s)

Discovery Walk boards include a map showing The boards are reinforced on-street Although visually related to the boards, these designated routes around a given area. by directional discs and markers. signs may be misinterpreted as road signs.

institutional

An example of good practice, the University of Toronto wayfinding system is delivered across a range of signing structures combining Many health institutions provide distinctive permanent and semi-permanent strategies. wayfinding for their customers.

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 20 understanding

Streetscape & Wayfinding

bias (examples of signage other than street name plates)

retail complexes

ontario / toronto heritage

parks

legacy - parks and recreation

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto understanding p. 21

Streetscape & Wayfinding

statutory

ttc subway

ttc stops

bixi

path

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 22 understanding

1.6 Existing systems - gaps

Extensive site visits and observation of user behaviours identified four important gaps in Toronto’s current wayfinding—above all, that current systems are sporadic and fragmented, lacking integration and coherence.

continuity connectivity Wayfinding in Toronto, Most of Toronto’s other than street wayfinding systems are names, is sporadic self referential, rarely and fragmented—it connecting with non- does not operate as a proprietary systems system or a network. or adjacent areas. Systems overlap haphazardly The majority of the systems without any obvious coherence. While some deliver point specific information (you are systems cover a definable area (PATH, TTC, here, this area/place is...), but fail to provide Parks), others lack a clear extension or boundary. the context for a given location in relation Central Downtown has a profusion of wayfinding to the city or its immediate surroundings. systems with no underlying strategy. Some systems that utilize maps do incorporate consistency contextual information on the immediate surroundings; however, their geographic The use of material, extent is limited and it is very rare to find location, finish and directions or directional signs for pedestrians. general appearance of signs is varied and accessibility lacks consistency. Most information systems Wayfinding structures have considerable room located in right-of-ways may for improvement when comply with City policy yet often fail to harmonize it comes to physical and with their surrounding built environment. cognitive accessibility. The Coordinated Street Furniture program Location, height, provides a consistent approach to location, reading angle and material material and look & feel for the various often combine to compromise the ability of products installed on-street. Such an approach the signs to be read—let alone touched. is financially and aesthetically efficient. Information is predominantly visual and is Unfortunately the program’s wayfinding largely unavailable in alternative media. component (INFOTOGO) does not fully address local wayfinding needs.

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto xxxxxunderstanding xxxxxxxxx p. 23

1.7 What users look for?

Previous experience of city and transit wayfinding systems demonstrates that user needs exceed the limitations of static signage and that gaps are commonly satisfied by a mix of information delivered across multiple touch points.

User needs and requests need to be key user profiles “translated” into places in order to be For the wayfinding system to work, it direction-able. Not all information needs must be able to support the movement are locational, on most occasions we know needs of all—including visitors. what we want but not where to find it. Understanding how different groups navigate Toronto has numerous communication channels and what type of information they need that provide information to residents and forms a fundamental part of the wayfinding visitors. Wayfinding terminology (naming) must strategy. Three constituency groups (tourists, be consistent across all these channels. residents and transit users) were identified Information can be more, or less, and referenced through the study. appropriate on different wayfinding structures. What may be redundant in one place, may be a landmark in another. Information that is likely to change frequently should be channelled through less permanent media. local, regional, neighbours commuters & Infrequent national & (residents/ international workers) travellers tourists and visitors

information things places

About... I need... I‘m going to... local attractions a coffee queen’s park opening hours a taxi st lawrence market price wi-fi access yonge street historical context a washroom! rogers centre

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 24 understanding

1.8 Best Practice Review

A review of international wayfinding systems covering wayfinding strategies, signage elements, content, system identity, funding, delivery and evaluation models was undertaken to identify considerations that were relevant to Toronto.

New York, USA The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is working on a project to deliver Image: NYC-DOT a comprehensive pedestrian information system to sidewalks in Lower Manhattan wayfinding map Illustrative concept for new wayfinding system key New York neighbourhoods. Image: NYC-DOT The initiative is seen as a critical first step in making New York City’s world-class streets easier to navigate and even more accessible for New Yorkers and visitors. Lower Manhattan existing system Lower Manhattan directional post Illustrative concept for new wayfinding system

Bogotá, Colombia Front Side Back 440 120 440

Bogota’s Tourism 2500

Museo de Arte Moderno Museo de Arte Moderno Museo de Arte Moderno Museo de Arte Moderno 300 m 300 m 300 m 300 m

Iglesia de la San Ignacio Iglesia de la San Ignacio Iglesia de la San Ignacio Iglesia de la San Ignacio 1.500 m 1.500 m 1.500 m 1.500 m

Baños Públicos Baños Públicos Baños Públicos Baños Públicos Signing Plan is a Public Toilets | 1.800 m Public Toilets | 1.800 m Public Toilets | 1.800 m Public Toilets | 1.800 m

Paseo del Plaza del Casa de Plaza del Centro Chorro de Nariño Chorro de Andino Quevedo Quevedo

En esta pequeña plaza Many people believe this En esta pequeña plaza Many people believe this En esta pequeña plaza Many people believe this En esta pequeña plaza Many people believe this pedestrian and muchos presumen que square (plaza) witnessed muchos presumen que square (plaza) witnessed muchos presumen que square (plaza) witnessed muchos presumen que square (plaza) witnessed Gonzalo Jiménez de Bogota’s fundation by Gonzalo Jiménez de Bogota’s fundation by Gonzalo Jiménez de Bogota’s fundation by Gonzalo Jiménez de Bogota’s fundation by Quesada fundó la ciudad Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada fundó la ciudad Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada fundó la ciudad Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada fundó la ciudad Gonzalo Jiménez de en 1538, aunque en Quesada in 1538 -albeit en 1538, aunque en Quesada in 1538 -albeit en 1538, aunque en Quesada in 1538 -albeit en 1538, aunque en Quesada in 1538 -albeit realidad, la evidencia very little or no evidence realidad, la evidencia very little or no evidence realidad, la evidencia very little or no evidence realidad, la evidencia very little or no evidence encontrada es muy have been found about encontrada es muy have been found about encontrada es muy have been found about encontrada es muy have been found about vehicular wayfinding escasa. that fact. escasa. that fact. escasa. that fact. escasa. that fact.

Ermita de San Miguel del Príncipe

Esta capilla fue Esta capilla fue construida system to enhance construida bajo el bajo el modelo de la ermita modelo de la ermita del del Humilladero, un Humilladero, un rancho rancho de paja edificado de paja edificado en la en la esquina esquina nor-occidental nor-occidental del actual del actual parque parque Santander, al Santander, al interior de interior de la cual Fray la cual Fray Domingo de Domingo de las Casas las Casas ofició la ofició la primera misa en the experience primera misa en Bogotá. Bogotá. of national and international tourists in the city. Waymarker Base material options Illustrative placement

Legible Bristol, UK Image: Bristol Legible City Image: Bristol Legible City The first part of the Bristol Legible City initiative was a pedestrian wayfinding system in Bristol City Centre. This was the most comprehensive system in Europe at the time of Image: Bristol Legible City implementation and was designed specifically to encourage walking and to aid wayfinding in a complex city centre environment.

Combined totem and fingerpost Context and local area maps

Wayfinding System Strategy (Phase One) for the City of Toronto understanding p. 25

Image: Walk!Philadelphia Walk!Philadelphia, USA Conceived as part of a $26 million Streetscape Improvement Project, Walk!Philadelphia is the largest comprehensive pedestrian sign system Directional in North America. It consists of two major components: diskmaps and directionals. The design strategy reflects a “district approach” where the downtown area is organized as 5 colour-coded districts. This approach is favoured by many Diskmap cities in the US.

Image: Woodhouse Image: Woodhouse City of London (local), UK. A review of the City’s wayfinding led to the development of a new wayfinding strategy based on a high-quality bespoke signs that reached the £1 million mark Gateway Map Fingerpost (CAD $1,6 million).

A T T O

R

G L A O S Islington (local), K I PO N

R CLOUDESLEY S S E T R V E I E X L T E B S S London, UK. CLOUDESLEY PLACE BARFORD ROAD E G R E N E O N PACKINGTON STREET This local authority- T BATCHELOR STREET G IN L S I funded wayfinding POLICE ERS 7 ERN RD BROMFIELD ST. B . STATION RITCHIE STREET S TOLPUD T DLE . STR EET P DEN ) GE E T 1 CAM PASSA E R pilot showcased the A W ’ O S ( R C S H T A E T RL R TO K N E E PASSAGE O E P O T E LA R CHAP CE B EL CAMDEN E quality of the products MAR R L KET O T T. S C ISLINGTONHIGH S R PE and generated D P U N

STREET C WHITE LION ST. U A 8 N S T . financial support BARON DUNCAN TERR. CRAFTS ANGEL Cross 20 mins COUNCIL NOEL ROAD P ENTO NVILLE R REGENT’S CANAL from local businesses OA Corridor mapD detail E Garden entrances sign Interpretative sign OOKE ROW N TERRACE THE MALL Image: Wood & Wood R VINCE TORRENS CA EB and other privates.

Image: Legible London / TfL Image: Legible London / TfL Legible London (citywide) - UK Legible London was designed to provide predictable and consistent on-street pedestrian signing across all of London’s boroughs Map on underground exits to encourage more people to walk. An evaluation at various stages of Legible London’s implementation demonstrates broad support for the system.

Narrow map totem Wide map totem Image: Legible London / TfL

Toronto 360° Wayfinding Strategy p. 26 understanding

1.9 Consultation

A number of outreach activities and events were held with stakeholders and the general public to gain local insight and build support for the project.

* A full stakeholder stakeholder interviews stakeholder workshop consultation list (workshop, Interviews were undertaken with a broad A stakeholder workshop was held half-way interview, and open range of stakeholders from the community house attendants) through the study process to identify and agree can be found in the including: residents, associations, agencies, on key objectives and principles to guide the appendix at the end of this document. businesses, BIAs, and cultural institutions.* development of the wayfinding system strategy. The objective was for early identification Participants were divided into 5 groups, of issues, opportunities, and challenges corresponding to 5 case study areas: across a range of the city’s stakeholders. œ Downtown East (Old Town, St Lawrence, The interviews also provided an opportunity East Bayfront, Distillery District) to build a dialogue with stakeholders related œ Central Downtown (Union Station, to wayfinding in Toronto aimed to generate Financial District, Yonge St, Queen St) interest and support for the project. œ Kings/Spadina (Chinatown, Fashion District, Queen St West , Entertainment District) “the system must “the system should West Downtown (Liberty Village, Art be sustainable, consider all modes œ accessible, and of transportation” and Design District, Exhibition Place) inclusive” œ Morningside (Military Trail, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus) “there should be Localized wayfinding issues and opportunities “we need a map opportunities for others were discussed for each case study area. These that everybody can to contribute to the wayfinding system... were then extrapolated recognize... and to identify wayfinding build upon” BIAs, PanAM,... and to have a legacy” strategies and principles that could be applied city-wide. “wayfinding should “we need to enhance work for all... use both: a city identity pictograms” and a neighbourhood identity”

“wayfinding should motivate people to walk... to discover the city... parks, “Embrace events, museums... the technology... neighbourhoods” QR codes... digital markers... apps”

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