Urban Wayfinding Research
Date: March 2020
As part of my Urban Design Studio course at the University of Manitoba, I conducted research and created a booklet on urban wayfinding strategies. Wayfinding refers to processes and information systems that people use to navigate and make sense of places. The term was coined by Kevin Lynch in 1960 to describe maps, signs and other devices that help orient people in cities. Since that time, wayfinding practices and techniques have advanced. Many cities now use urban design to create ‘intuitive wayfinding’ approaches to guide pedestrians and cyclists. These include using materials, colours, lighting, vegetation, and other interventions. Most urban wayfinding systems also include signage, maps, and digital apps.
