Legible London - History

History

In 2004 then London Mayor Ken Livingstone declared that he would make London a walkable city by 2015. Subsequently Central London Partnership (a representative organisation for Central London government and businesses led by Patricia Brown) commissioned Applied Information Group (now Applied) (a wayfinding design company to research the walking environments of London.

This research resulted in a study that proposed the idea of a ‘Legible London’. This was published in January 2006 by Applied under the title ‘Legible London – A Wayfinding Study’. The study was widely presented during 2005 and 2006 and contained a concept scenario – ‘Janes Walk’. Jenny Jones was an early supporter of the scheme at the Greater London Authority (GLA).

In 2006 Applied undertook local area studies in Westminster, South Bank, Richmond and Twickenham and Hackney to show how the concept could adapt to different urban forms. This was followed in 2006 with an exhibition at the NLA to promote the idea and lobby for its adoption. Patricia Brown and Spencer de Gray spoke at the launch of the exhibition.

A prototype was commissioned by Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority through Transport for London, New West End Company and the Crown Estate. The prototype contained 19 original design Legible London street signs installed around Oxford Street and Bond Street along with new customised maps and information panels. This first sign installation was subjected to detailed evaluation on behalf of the clients by SKM Colin Buchanan. A book was published by Transport for London and Applied, ‘The Yellow Book’ to coincide with the launch.

Following the successful reception of the prototype and research results the project was formally adopted by Transport for London for further development and evaluation with an eye to potential city-wide implementation. Transport for London commissioned the core system architecture and three large pilots in Westminster/Camden, South Bank and Richmond and Twickenham. These were based on the earlier studies. The system architecture and three pilots would show how the system could be applied and work for different urban forms and travel demands, and could be further tested in respect of product design, mapping scales and information content.

The system was extensively documented and three pilots delivered in 2009/2010. The pilots were again subjected to thorough evaluation to understand the impacts arising from the installation of the system in the three locations. The system design role was undertaken by Applied. The pilots were locally delivered by three external groups working alongside Transport for London: Applied, Atkins and Faber Maunsell (now AECOM). Arup provided project management support to Transport for London and undertook the pilot evaluation.

Ownership of the system and responsibility for its development and roll-out resides with Transport for London. In addition to the on-street signs, Legible London mapping is now appearing in all tube stations, bus shelters and DLR stations through ‘Continuing your Journey’ poster maps. Additionally, Legible London mapping and design concepts have been used on London’s Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations and are also being trialled on the Barclays Cycle Superhighways commuter cycle routes.

The process of using Legible London mapping across Transport for London’s public transport family has not only extended the reach of this mapping style, providing customers with a more integrated journey experience, but has also offered cost savings through mapping design consolidation. The sign system has been expanding throughout London’s boroughs, with 25 of the 33 local authorities now having Legible London signs installed or are progressing with implementations.