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What is Wayfindng?
Finding one’s way to destinations.
Wayfinding systems can include or incorporate:
- Architectural and landscape elements
(landmarks)
- Signs and information components (from
street signs to kiosks)
- Maps and websites (printed and
electronic media)
- People as guides (from taxi/bus
drivers to the local resident on the street)
The Wayfinding System for the City of
Burlington was originally developed in the late 1980’s to facilitate
public access to public parking lots and garages in the downtown,
with a focus on the Church Street Marketplace. It was of critical
importance to the vibrancy of the downtown to ensure that the public
was aware of the availability and proximity of public parking to
downtown retail and office destinations as a counter to the draw of
suburban shopping malls and office parks in the Greater Burlington
area. Thus the system of so-called “hairpin” signs was developed to
guide visitors to parking lots in and around the Central Business
District. Soon the system was expanded to provide guidance to other
destinations and locales within the city, coupled with the
establishment of identifiable districts, including the Waterfront
and the Campus Districts. As part of the initial development of the
Waterfront District, banners and gateway elements were also created
to reinforce the sense of place.
At this juncture, the entire system is
being reviewed for maintenance, management and enhancement as part
of a focus on the Waterfront, Marketplace and Downtown Districts.
The entire system is in need of refurbishing, with new structures,
structure refinishing, and message panel replacement and refinement.
CEDO and Burlington’s Department of Public Works are working with
Resource Systems Group and LandWorks on the Wayfinding
transportation improvement project. The funding for these
transportation improvements in Burlington are possible thanks to the
federal dollars secured by Senator Patrick Leahy.
Click
here
 to view a presentation on Wayfinding in Burlington. To open, view and/or print this
presentation, you will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free
software, you can download
it now. If you need this presentation in an
alternative format, please call 802-865-7284.
Finding your way has never been
more important. Getting places on time, with minimum
stress, is more valuable than ever. Easy accessibility
to services, from medical to transportation, whether on
foot, by public transit, or by automobile, is not just a
matter of courtesy and common sense. It is an economic
necessity.
~ Wayne Hunt; acclaimed
environmental graphic designer
Draft Findings & Recommendations
LandWorks and Resource Systems Group, Inc.
conducted a site survey of current conditions to inventory the
existing state of the Wayfinding system in Downtown Burlington. It
was found that many, if not all, signs in the Wayfinding system are
in need of repair, replacement and updating. These conditions have
resulted in a Wayfinding system that lacks uniformity and no longer
functions effectively.
The entire system is in need of
refurbishing, with new structures, structure refinishing, and
message panel replacement and refinement. Additionally, some new
signs are recommended for installation to reinforce the Wayfinding
elements already in place and to ensure effective guidance and
visibility for both motorists and pedestrians seeking to reach key
destinations in the Waterfront and Marketplace Districts.
Click
here for DRAFT Findings
Recommendations Getting Around Burlington A Plan for City Signing, Wayfinding & Information 2008 Update. To open, view and/or print this
presentation, you will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free
software, you can download
it now. If you need this presentation in an
alternative format, please call 802-865-7284.
For more information, contact:
Kirsten Merriman Shapiro
Community & Economic Development Office
149 Church Street
Room 32 - City Hall
Burlington, VT 05401
kmerriman@ci.burlington.vt.us
802-865-7284
Page last updated
July 29, 2010
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