A new concept of guidance is being planned for the city of Turku. New signposts are being tested along the River Aura from the first week of June onwards. Three temporary test signposts can be found in the Cathedral Square, near the Library Bridge on the eastern river bank and on the western river bank at the corner of the Aura Bridge.

The experiment is part of the new concept for guidance and the Guidance Ecosystem-project that aims at developing city guidance. The concept includes planning the contents and design of the signpost family as well as administration and content production. The concept is due to be finished in late summer

The project views guidance as a service both for citizens and travelers.            

Along with helping to find different services and improving general accessibility, other important aspects are readability of the signposts and facilitation of comprehension of the urban space.  Noticeable landmarks, such as the Turku Cathedral, are drawn as three-dimensional pictures to make the maps more illustrative. The signpost concept design is provided by Design Studio Muotohiomo Oy.

- The aim is not just to guide people from one place to another, we also want to help people to perceive and understand the urban space, says designer Pekka Toivanen from Muotohiomo.

Diverging from traditional map models the maps are presented from viewing perspective to facilitate readability. To help understand distances, the distance to be covered on the map is presented in five minutes walking range. The sides of the double-sided pylons are different. The narrow and high pylon stands out from the street scene without covering the view, so that it is possible to look at the map and the route opening in front at the same time.

- Later it is possible to use the model of the concept for example in printed maps handed out for travellers. Also, private operators, such as shopping centres, can make use of the plans made in Turku, says the Guidance Ecosystem-project’s manager Riikka Niemelä.

User feedback about the pilot signposts is wished to be received. Finishing touches will be made to the concept based on the feed back given. During the pilot, feedback can also be given anonymously online.

More on the Guidance Ecosystem-project: itsasign.fi/en