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Context
Pontypridd Town Centre
Elevating a Town's experience through place-making strategies
Scope: Audit, Wayfinding and Place-making Strategies, Implementation
Role: Working in all aspects of the project, from start to current stage.
Timeline: 2023 - Ongoing
Team: 2 members
DesignJD was commissioned to develop a comprehensive wayfinding strategy that aimed at enhancing the town’s visibility, capitalising on its rich history and cultural heritage, and ultimately transforming Pontypridd from a mere stopover into a destination worth visiting.
Task
Along with a clear wayfinding strategy to improve the visibility of the town and the experience of locals and visitors, we were also tasked with making the town centre welcoming and attractive to tourists. The Ynysangharad Memorial Park, a huge open space in the heart of Pontypridd, was felt to be disconnected from the town centre. This issue needed to be addressed. Additionally, the aim was to also leverage the existing parking infrastructure and increase its visibility while regulating its usage. This is in preparation with the anticipated increase in footfall during Eisteddfod 2024, being a host town.
Solution
Through multiple site visits, the existing signage, parking, and relevant built infrastructure were documented. We engaged in significant on-site research including talking to several locals, visitors, and transport officials. This was undertaken through one-on-one interviews and interactive group workshops. Through a business survey, inputs from a wider audience were recorded. Gathered from the user engagement, vehicular, pedestrian and cycle routes were plotted along with key destinations and landmarks used to navigate the Town. Prominent navigation challenges and the various degrees (primary, secondary and tertiary) decision points were identified.
A comprehensive strategy was formulated, encompassing wayfinding and place-making interventions. The various quarters - both existing and newly introduced, were identified to be further made prominent through the strategy. The action plan comprised of 38 prioritised interventions, was formulated considering timelines, budgets, and feasibility. This plan was then circulated among a controlled group for discussion.
Drawing from nudge theory, a new set of communication guidelines was introduced, aiming to create recognisable, quick-read interventions that reflected the town’s history. Decision-making around the locations of signs, is based on where the need for guidance and confirmation is felt. Furthermore, care was taken to replace existing infrastructure and minimise clutter where needed.
Based on the requirements, a sign family was then devised, pending design, with a dual naming strategy to include Traffic Signage, Highway Advanced Directive Signs (ADS), Gateway Signs, Parking Signage (ADS, Flags, Building Information Signs), Pedestrian Signage (Monoliths, Information Points, Finger Posts, Wall-mounted signs), Street Signage, Tourist and Event Signage. The strategy aimed to enhance wayfinding while preserving the town’s unique character and historical significance.
Wayfinding Map design has now been initiated and a section of the map has been designed to include all identified landmarks, destinations, services, transport and parking infrastructure. The project is now in its Planning stage pending deliberation and approval.
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