Perception and wayfinding at Cultural Sites

Abstract

[EN] Projects of historical and cultural heritage have increasingly achieved a great significance in recent years. The importance of these sites is based on their ability to provide intrinsic value and visitation options, communicating knowledge to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Wayfinding plays an important role in achieving this goal, making cultural heritage more accessible. However, the achievement of accessibility for everyone in these projects is not easy. This requires a sensitive perception of people, of their various situations, and an exercise of restraint to balance the past and present, memory and invention. It is not possible to develop a single objective and universally valid theory. Each case must be studied to provide useful and respectful solutions. A descriptive and analytical methodology has been used, based on the research of cases that contemplate different situations; however, they share the common intention to carefully adapt to the place, with maximum respect for it. This article will study several information and signage projects in these heritage and cultural landscapes that use different resources to make the site more accessible. New technology applications also offer a wide range of opportunities, which vary in perceptive experiences, providing the ability to enhance the specific nature of future devices and signage systems that can be used to interact with people. The knowledge of different signaling options and information media offers the possibility of making a combined use of systems that make it possible to reach a greater number of people. As shown in the conclusion, the variety of visual, tactile, and acoustic elements coexist with digital resources, serving the purpose of highlighting different cultural spaces. This diversity of stimuli can comprise an efficient and dense network of continuously superimposed tools, signs, and symbols, which can provide the place with a voice and make it more inclusive.