Wayfinding is a navigation tool that provides clear, accessible, appropriate, and useful information about a place.
The City's goal is to develop a coherent wayfinding system in Toronto that extends across transportation modes and into electronic devices – providing consistent information to ensure trips are simple and direct. The provision of a consistent signage and information system is a core service of the City for its residents, businesses and tourists. It is a tremendous opportunity to create a 'legible' city that will help to reduce traffic congestion, improve the functionality of the city’s streets, clearly define Toronto's character, and promote its continued economic vibrancy and competitiveness. A 'legible' city gives people the confidence to move around the city, in whatever mode – safe in the knowledge of knowing where the street leads, and how long their journey will take.
Many Canadian and international cities such as London, New York and Vancouver have developed wayfinding systems, and a Toronto-specific model will assist Toronto’s competitiveness as a destination city. In anticipation of the 2012 Olympics, London developed a way-finding strategy to increase transportation capacity without adding to the street infrastructure. The development of a wayfinding system is also timely as the 2015 Pan-Am Games will attract significant media attention and visitors to Toronto.
The first phase of this project was kicked off in October 2011. This six month project will include various stages: research & information gathering to develop the system principles, creation of criteria for an implementation strategy including the identification of funding sources and a business case for design development, and definition of the parameters for the pilot system. The goal is to report to City Council in June 2012 with specific recommendations prior to moving to implementation. The team of Steer Davies Gleave and DIALOG have been selected to develop the wayfinding strategy and they will work closely with a Steering Committee and group of Stakholders comprised of City staff and representatives such as the TTC, Metrolinx, Tourism Toronto, Pan Am Games, The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario, and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas.
Public Open House
On Wednesday, March 28 from 5 - 8 pm there was a Public Open House in the Metro Hall Rotunda.
The event had a great turnout of interested citizens, stakeholders and industry leaders. Following a 30 minute presentation by consultant Phil Berczuk of Steer Davies Gleave and Q&A period, attendees were encourages to tour the interactive panel boards and provide feedback to the consultant, City Staff and Steering Committee team.
View a copy of the Presentation and Panel display boards:
Panel 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14
Please continue to check back for updates on the status of the project.
For more information on the wayfinding strategy and process please contact clazier@toronto.ca.
