Rainer Kazig / Monika Popp

1. A praxiological approach to wayfinding: Conceptual framework, empirical examples and conclusions for planning Rainer Kazig / Monika Popp Walk 21 – Findingyourway on foot – Munich, 13.9.2013

2. (Source: ownphotographs) 2 2

3. Structure • Concept of Wayfinding, (traditional) wayfinding research and its deficits • Our approach: Praxiology of wayfinding • Example I: Resolute wayfinding at Munich main station • Example II: Recreational wayfinding in the city centre of Bonn • Conclusions – Consequences for planners 3 3

4. Concept of Wayfinding(Passini 1990) Taking account of a person’s cognitive skills and ability to reach a spatial goal Wayfinding = spatial problem-solving Research is intended to flow into spatial designand into the design of guidance systems to create environments that enable easy wayfinding Traditional wayfinding research and its main deficit Theoretical focus: “individual micro-processing” => Wayfinding research often lacks a relation to specific local environments, and thus also to praxis 4 4

5. Our approach: praxiology of wayfinding • Practical knowledge Central research questions • Working out the diverse forms of wayfinding practices • Understanding the situational logics of wayfinding • Performance • of practices • Environment that can be perceived by the senses (Source: own design) 5

6. Our approach: In situ experiments • Introspection • (“thinking aloud”) • Observation of the subjects • Practical Knowledge • Ethnographic observation • Environment that can be perceived by the senses • Photographs (Source: own design) 6

7. Our examples (Source: ownphotographs) Example I Munich railway station Example II City centre of Bonn 7 7 7

8. Example I: Munich main station – selected results Signage Often does not play the central role, particularly at the start. Following dominant flows of passers-by“This many people can’t be wrong” Characteristic / Logic of the destinationBuses generally depart from outside the railway station (Source: Kazig/Popp 2011, 10) Interpretation of the architecture “Perceived centre” as the place where information is provided 8

9. Example I: Munich main station – selected results “Counterproductive” practices Turning back to avoid unease / anxiety, even though one is on the right path- because hardly any other people are about - because the route becomes narrow and dark or smells unpleasant b) Reduction in the repertoire of wayfinding practices in the case of frustration- sticking to the signage, or no longer paying attention to signs because the signage has not been helpful so far - continuing straight ahead 9

10. Example I: Conclusions for planners Signage- Take account of the logic of dominant pedestrian flows in the signage- Identify the main points of searching for signs- Increase signage in dark / narrow / less populated passages Provision of information: - The “perceived” centre as the place to provide overview maps - Information on bus connections at the exits Architecture- Promote legibility 10

11. Example II: Inner city in Bonn The route to the Rhine 1 (Source: Jacobs 2006, 98) 2 11

12. Example II: Inner city in Bonn Unattractive section 1: “Residential estate barrier”- Clear reduction in frequency of passers-by - The district does not correspond to the character of a city centre (e.g. residential buildings) “I would be more inclined to associate it with a situation on the outskirts of a city.” (Source: ownphotograph) 12

13. Example II: Inner city in Bonn Unattractive section 2: “Noisy, narrow conduit”-Noise pollution by buses- Narrow pavement- Monotonous, dirty façades - low number of retail shops “It’s almost impossible to hold a conversation when a bus drives past, or a motorbike or something like that; that’s pretty irritating.” (Source: ownphotograph) 13

14. Example II: Conclusions for planners How can the route to the Rhine be made more attractive? Determination of sections which are perceived negatively Determination of environmental factors that contribute to the reduced attractiveness-E.g. noise, narrowness, vacant properties, type of buildings Derivation of suggestions for planning and design- E.g. re-routing bus routes, way marking/signage along the route Evaluation of planning alternatives- In this case: focusing on route 1 14

15. Conclusion The praxiological approach … is time-consuming and labour-intensive; however, for practitioners, helpful insights for specific places can be gained even with small numbers of interviewees… can, in contrast to cognitive wayfinding research, work out the multiplicity of situated practices of wayfinding that are used in specific environments … can also – as it not only looks at reaching a goal efficiently – contribute towards increasing the welcoming quality and the wellbeing of pedestrians for different forms of sojourns in the city, and thus contribute to good walkability! 15

16. Many thanks for your attention We look forward to your questions and comments!