This Thursday evening we have a presentation from Tim Fendley creative director of Applied Information Group who have designed the award winning Legible London prototype for London, in association with TfL

The background research into this identified that:

"Walking has reduced by 20% in central London over the last decade, and by 13% in London as a whole (source: TfL). Reversing this trend would have a major beneficial impact on the transport system, as well as delivering benefits for the street environment, the economy and public health.

A major problem is presented by the 32 different pedestrian wayfinding systems used in the central Congestion Charging Zone and consequently people's over-reliance on the tube map, which distorts distances. Legible London found that 5% of passengers exiting Leicester Square tube station had started from a station less than 800m away. Encouraging these people to walk instead would significantly reduce pressure on the tube system, stimulate the local economy, encourage greater street life, and potentially improve personal safety. Based on a study of central London, Legible London examines the potential for a common approach across the 33 boroughs that takes account of the views of all concerned and makes London easier to navigate for pedestrians.

Legible London finds broad agreement not only about the benefits of walking, but also that: good signage increases walking; there is little London-wide coordination; and there is a demand for guidance from urban planners across the capital Further, there are real issues around defining areas, villages, neighbourhoods in London."

The initial prototype consisting of a number of monoliths, miniliths, signs and paper maps can be seen around the Bond Street station area on Oxford Street. Work is underway on a number of further pilots in:

- South Bank and Bankside
- Clear Zone Partnership area (Covent Garden and Bloomsbury)
- Richmond and Twickenham

There are a range of challenges, including collecting the data and ensuring that maps can be produced cost effectively across London.

If you have experience of similar schemes (e.g. Bristol Legible City amongst others) please register and come along on Thursday. If you can't make it, please post any shared experiences on this blog. We will produce a write up of the event and look forward to hearing from you and/or seeing you there.