Cross-posted from No Mean City, Alex’s personal blog on architecture
The always energetic Dave Meslin has noticed a design problem that needs some attention. The signs and ads that Toronto uses to tell people about new developments – and to invite us to participate – are hard to read and hard to make sense of.
Here’s an example. This version, introduced a couple of years ago, is actually better than the previous one – which was a lot of black-on-white small print. But really, can you read that site plan? Can most people even tell that it is a site plan? As for the words, there’s lots of legalese here and very little clear language. This is not an effective way of telling the neighbours what’s happening or even how they can speak up. (What’s a “statutory public meeting,” exactly? Can I come? Where and when is it?)
Here on his blog, Meslin has invited designers to come up with a better model. Check it out (and read the discussion, already interesting) and please contribute. Winners will be shown at the Urbanspace Gallery at 401 Richmond.
2 comments
It’s not just the design that’s the problem — it’s the language.
While sophisticated readers — like those that read Spacing — may understand what “below grade”, “common driveway” — and many other planning terms that appear in similar signs for other projects across the city — most people do not.
And, while the city may have a legal requirement to refer to “Zoning by-law 438-86″… does anyone really care about the specific bylaw?
The sign should keep the legalese in small print, if it’s required, while the members of the public should only read something like this:
“XYZ Company plans to 45 three-story townhouses on this site.
“You can find out more about their plans by attending a meeting on…
“or by calling 416-XXX-XXXX etc.
or by e-mailing XXX@toronto.ca“
Haven’t we discussed this before?
Perhaps I’m thinking of somewhere else.
Vancouver is the model that we’re told we should aspire towards:
http://westendneighbours.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/maxines-devpmt-app-sign-up-on-13-sept-20101.jpg