Two engineers from SEERO Engineering Consulting each gave very interesting presentations to a well-attended evening seminar held by the CIHT Qatar Group on Tuesday 16 January 2018. 

Engineer Reham Adi, Transport Planner, spoke about how a successful wayfinding design implementation enhances the level of safety in roads, improves road designs, allocates suitable signing in appropriate locations and promotes user experience in the three-dimensional space of a built form.

There was an explanation about the design process, broken down into seven elements starting from a research stage through design demands, the identification of destinations, strategy, sign hierarchy, sign locations and finally the branding. Summarized by discussing the contemporary challenges of wayfinding applications with the existence of high technologies such as the Global Positioning Systems - GPS.

Engineer Lubna Sadeq, Urban Planner, followed on with her presentation focusing on why pedestrian and cyclist safety is an important goal worldwide before looking at Qatar and how designers should take the initiative to design and sustain roads with the highest safety considerations and risk assessments.

Engineer Sadeq showed how good footpath design, safe crossing facilities, lighting, landscaping, and clear wayfinding can all contribute to a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Qatar is currently undergoing rapid growth with many of its projects requiring some form of wayfinding design, and both presenters gave some focus on new road construction, the Doha Metro and the football World Cup in 2022.

The presentations were eloquently delivered and there was a vibrant questions and answer session afterwards.

CIHT Qatar is sponsored by AECOM, DCE, Egis, Fugro, PAF, Seero, TMS and WSP.