Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding in The Designed Environment: A Conceptual Analysis and Some Suggestions for Post occupancy Evaluation

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. □ A psychological, information-processing, model of spatial orientation and finding in the designed environment is proposed. The model identifies a num of basic cognitive processes such as recognition of parts of an environment (e landmarks), localization of reference points, and recall, selection, and sequenc of destinations (choices, decisions, and planning). On the basis of the model system for classifying environments is suggested as a heuristic in predicting extent of spatial orientation and way finding problems. Some specific and gen methodological suggestions for postoccupancy evaluation are of Problems of spatial orientation and wayfinding are frequently encountered environment (Best, 1970; Seidel, 1982; Weissman, 1981). Such problems are an important aspect of environmental quality, namely the extent to which i to reach various destinations within reasonable limits of time and effort (P Zimring, 1982). If any man-made environment is to function properly in t the users must obviously be able to find their way around in it. It could there cases be argued that the ease with which spatial orientation and wayfindin plished should be adopted as important criteria in designing the environmen The ease with which spatial orientation and wayfinding will be accom particular environment is, however, difficult to predict. What seems to be first, an adequate conceptualization of spatial orientation and wayfinding, he of as psychological, information-processing, operations, and, second, know physical-setting variables that affect the successful completion of these in processing operations. The unfortunate scarcity of data from postoccupancy further suggests that methods whereby spatial orientation and wayfinding c in situ are also needed.