Module 6 –
Moving Forward
As we become
increasingly closer to living in a world that mostly inhabits cities, rather
than the rural countryside, the practice of urban design will continue to
provide metropolis’ with a structure of organization for co-existence. This
migration to urban areas across the planet demands of us designers the
consideration of those people who rely on civic amenities for many of their
daily activity. The growing trend of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has
begun to redefine the way that planners and designers think about high density
development as it pertains to urban growth. By working towards a better
functioning transit system, urban design can help ever expanding cities to
provide incoming residents with the necessary amenities for a positive urban
existence. An urban existence that allows new residents access to the places
they live and the places they work, to their nearest grocery story or the
closest medical facility.
In an effort
to provide the masses of people moving to cities with a universal understanding
of their new surroundings the language of wayfinding, especially signage
pointing towards environmentally responsible public amenities such as public
transportation, parks, etcetera, has become increasingly important. Technology
has expanded beyond imagination over the most recent decades, making it
imperative that signage guide those new to cities, or those unfamiliar with civic
technological advancements to their intended destinations. Updated signage work in collaboration with
Transit-Oriented Development by drawing people’s attention to their alternative
transportation options. This widened exposure to transportation options can
have a direct influence on awareness and ridership.
Not only do
Transit-Oriented Development and updated urban wayfinding help to solve
existing urban challenges, but they can also be instrumental in the smart and
sustainable growth of municipalities. As the world moves more towards urban
centers and away from rural life it will be increasingly essential for urban
designers to sculpt a new international city that provides it’s new and old
residents with facility for success and prosperity.
Even in the current, tech-heavy society, traditional wayfinding systems make a big difference. Constantly having to look at your phone to figure out how to get anywhere is at best inconvenient and dangerous at worst, particularly while cycling. If tech like Google Glass or other HUD systems can gain popularity, signage may not be as important. We should keep encouraging signage so that there is one less excuse for somebody to need Google Glasses.
ReplyDeleteHigh technology of way finding in some ways is very helpful when you have to go somewhere that you have never been before. In urban design, experiencing everyday environment on the ground level and how people understand the urnam environment without relying on signage is one of fundamental practices in urban design.
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