Milton Keynes is preparing a new Milton Keynes wayfinding strategy as the city gears up for a period of major growth, with MyMiltonKeynes BID appointing Applied Information Group to develop a long-term framework for how people navigate and experience the city centre.
The strategy comes as Central Milton Keynes prepares for significant change, including new housing, a planned city centre entertainment venue and the arrival of Universal UK. Together, the developments are expected to attract more visitors and reshape movement across the city centre.
MyMiltonKeynes BID said the strategy will explore how better wayfinding can increase footfall, improve the visitor experience, strengthen links between destinations and encourage people to spend more time exploring Milton Keynes.
The appointment follows a competitive procurement process, with Applied Information Group selected to lead the work. The consultancy is recognised for projects including Legible London, the capital’s pedestrian wayfinding system, and Legible Leeds.
Jill Farnsworth, chief executive of MyMiltonKeynes BID, said the city was entering “a period of substantial expansion and change” and that it was the right time to review how Milton Keynes presents itself to visitors.
She said effective wayfinding could improve the visitor experience while helping people discover more of the city centre, adding that Applied’s experience of delivering complex urban wayfinding projects made it the right partner for the commission.
Applied will work with MyMiltonKeynes BID, Milton Keynes City Council and other stakeholders to analyse movement patterns, identify barriers to exploration and develop a long-term framework to guide future investment and decision-making.
Richard Simón, partner and director of planning at Applied Information Group, said Milton Keynes’ continued growth created an opportunity to help people better understand how the city’s destinations connect.
He said successful wayfinding was about more than signage, helping people explore with confidence while strengthening their connection with the city.
The appointment follows MyMiltonKeynes BID’s recent decision to commission Savills to examine how Universal UK could influence Central Milton Keynes, with both projects forming part of a wider programme of strategic planning for the city centre.
Farnsworth said the commissions demonstrated the BID’s commitment to providing businesses with independent research and evidence to help shape future investment and ensure the business community plays a central role in the city’s continued development.
The Wayfinding Strategy is expected to be completed later this year, with its findings shared with stakeholders to help inform future improvements across Central Milton Keynes.
Image: Applied Information Group, which created London’s Legible London wayfinding system, has been appointed by MyMiltonKeynes BID to develop a new wayfinding strategy for Central Milton Keynes.
