PASW Regional Newsletter: Autumn 2001
Regional Projects - Evaluation of Legible Cities
Evaluation is about impact and change. It is reviewing what has taken place and, if necessary, changing organisation, strategy and even project to achieve future success. It requires clear and agreed objectives at the start, and an honest approach at the end. It is an essential management tool. It is done well rarely, however, due to poor work at the outset and a lack of commitment throughout.
Bristol Cultural Development Partnership which has extensive experience of evaluating arts, media and urban design projects has been commissioned to undertake the evaluation for Bristol Legible City (BLC). BLC, a complete movement and information system for the city, integrates projects from the arts, urban design, design, graphics and transport amongst others. It is a huge, long-term project, managed by different stakeholders, each of which has their own objectives.
This makes evaluation difficult. A range of outcomes and outputs could be measured. The impact of a signage system in encouraging pedestrian movement and easier navigation for cars; public transport provision which seeks to delight the user as well as being simple to use; maps which stop people getting lost; and arts projects which promote greater awareness of the city for residents and visitors. The particular BLC projects being assessed are the public use of the signs and maps; the usability of the new Bristol transit font; the use of the I+ digital information points; the reception of the arts projects; and the ease of use of the At-Bristol legible car park.
BCDP's approach to evaluation is qualitative and quantitative. Market research through surveys is as important as market research through in-depth interviews. It seeks to ensure buy-in from all involved, early agreement on what to measure, and educate and train group members on the philosophy and needs of evaluation. Without this the evaluation would have failed. The fact that the BLC client group has signed up so enthusiastically to the evaluation makes the task easier.
Evaluation is ongoing. These projects represent the beginning of work. More will emerge as BLC makes progress. The important factor at this stage was to ensure that everyone involved agrees that evaluation is needed and the areas to measure.
Andrew Kelly / Melanie Kelly
Andrew Kelly is the author of Building Legible Cities (2001). If you would like to receive copies of BLC evaluation reports as they are published please send an e-mail to [email protected]. BCDP prefers to send these by e-mail except the book, which is £6.99 plus £1.00 p&p.
Walkie-Talkie.
Artists : Ralph Hoyte & Colin Pearce : Legible Cities