Themes

Producing metro-style maps of thematic routes for pedestrians.
	Special metro-style maps are being designed to help pedestrians see at a glance what a city has to offer, and to help them find their way around.

Improvements to routes which form pedestrian links between attractions
A crucial aspect of the project is the creation of distinctive pedestrian links to connect the various attractions highlighted on the new thematic routes. After all, metro-style maps highlighting key attractions have limited value if the routes between them are dark, dreary, run-down, or clogged with traffic.

Improving signs and other conventional means of providing information to pedestrians in city centres.
	A crucial aspect of the project is the creation of distinctive pedestrian links to connect the various attractions highlighted on the new thematic routes. After all, metro-style maps highlighting key attractions have limited value if the routes between them are dark, dreary, run-down, or clogged with traffic.

Information gateways at arrival points – such as airports and bus stations - where relevant information about the city, and how to get around it, is easily available.
First impressions count when you arrive in a city – and few things put visitors off more quickly than unwelcoming, grubby-looking airports, railways stations and car parks where basic information is hard to find and then impossible to understand.

Virtual reality models of buildings and routes – providing information to visitors, and helping them to plan visits and to get around.
	Visitors will be able to explore and learn more about places of interest thanks to exciting new virtual models of buildings and routes created by computer scientists at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich.

Using mobile phone and internet technology to make sure information is readily available to everyone.
Visitors to Koblenz will be among the first to benefit from free information sent automatically to their mobile phones when they visit prominent local attractions.

Improving key landmarks along thematic routes so that they serve as stations – public spaces which pedestrians can enjoy, relax in, and use to discover more about the city.
	Spatial Metro is essentially about creating thematic city centre pedestrian routes connected by a series of prominent public spaces. These public spaces are referred to as ‘stations’ – though not to be confused with bus and railway stations!

Testing and introducing environmentally friendly transport methods - such as rickshaw-style velotaxis and electric scooters - within pedestrian zones.
Velotaxis, pedal cycles and electric scooters all featured in a Norwich-led transport trial exploring new and sustainable ways of getting people around city centres.

Measuring the public response to the new maps, information, signs and media.
	Analysis of pedestrians’ opinions and needs can influence the detail of projects, and similar research can subsequently be used to measure the impact of new maps, signs, information zones and other media in the partner cities.