BRA Staff Test Wayfinding Options in Downtown Crossing
Jan 02, 2014
On Monday, December 23, BRA and Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (DBBID) staff braved a downpour and tested mock-ups of potential wayfinding installations for Downtown Crossing.
Over the past year, the BRA has been partnering with the DBBID to develop a set of Urban Design Guidelines for the district. These guidelines will help determine specifications for sidewalk style and materials, lighting, and signage as well as other aspects of the public realm. As part of this work, BRA staff have been collaborating with consultants from the Klopfer Martin Design Group (KMDG) and omloop to develop a comprehensive, pedestrian-oriented wayfinding program. Although relatively unique to Boston, pedestrian wayfinding systems are a staple of BIDs in other cities. Wayfinding systems usually involve coordinated signage and maps and are intended to fill the dual role of defining a district while also helping visitors navigate unfamiliar streets. The goal in Downtown Crossing is to establish a consistent visual brand and hierarchy of information that is helpful to all users: tourists, area workers.JPG?width=200&height=266 "IMG_1145-(3).JPG")
, and residents.
Despite the weather, the mock-ups were tested successfully in several locations Downtown as curious holiday shoppers bustled by. Further testing will be rolled out in several
JC Decaux "City Information Panels" in the next few weeks. The team aims to complete the first phase of installation along the Summer Street corridor between South Station and Park Street in 2014.
BRA staff involved include Jill Zick, Corey Zehngebot, Andrew Grace and Jonathan Greeley.