Wayfinding is vitally important when we navigate through areas we are unfamiliar with, or where our normal routes are diverted temporarily. With plenty of construction projects tearing up sidewalks and several new PATH pedestrian connections being built around the core, there is a growing need for reassuring signage and other landmark objects such as lighting, street furniture and public art installations.

Wayfinding signage at Queen and Bay, image by Jack Landau

The City of Toronto is hosting several public consultation events in the coming days to obtain input from residents, commuters and visitors on the City's proposed Wayfinding Strategy and revisions to the Highway Destination Signage Policy.

Public consultation kicks off with the installation of a sign prototype at the southwest corner of Queen Street and Bay Street on September 26th. From September 26th to October 16th, you are invited to visit the City of Toronto wayfinding site and participate in an online survey about the proposed wayfinding map and the prototype street furniture.

Proposed wayfinding map courtesy of the City of Toronto, click to see larger

On October 2nd, from 6:30 to 9 PM, an open house on the City's Wayfinding Strategy will take place at Metro Hall, 55 John St., Room 308/309, and will include a presentations on it and a draft Highway Destination Signage Policy. The following day, Friday, October 3, passersby will have another chance to comment on the prototype sign at the southwest corner of Queen Street and Bay Street by attending a pop-up event between 11 AM and 2 PM. The City would love to hear from you no matter where you are though - you can have your say by taking the online survey at toronto.ca/wayfinding.

The signage system, which is being developed by the City of Toronto in collaboration with funding partners the Toronto Financial District BIA and Tourism Toronto, will first be rolled out in Toronto's Financial District.