Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka

Wayfinding behaviour is fundamental to how individuals perceive and navigate urban spaces. Kevin Lynch identified five key elements that shape mental maps and enhance urban legibility. Every year, many students migrate to Dhaka for higher education. In the dense urban environment of Dhaka, wayfindi...

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Main Authors: Fouzia Masud Mouri, Ridwan Noor, Ahmad Abdul Wasi, Maisha Tasnim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Alanya Üniversitesi 2025-07-01
Series:Proceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.iccaua.com/jiccaua/article/view/635
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author Fouzia Masud Mouri
Ridwan Noor
Ahmad Abdul Wasi
Maisha Tasnim
author_facet Fouzia Masud Mouri
Ridwan Noor
Ahmad Abdul Wasi
Maisha Tasnim
author_sort Fouzia Masud Mouri
collection DOAJ
description Wayfinding behaviour is fundamental to how individuals perceive and navigate urban spaces. Kevin Lynch identified five key elements that shape mental maps and enhance urban legibility. Every year, many students migrate to Dhaka for higher education. In the dense urban environment of Dhaka, wayfinding becomes challenging as their spatial perception differs from the local students. This study examines cognitive spatial perception and dependency on digital tools in wayfinding behaviour between local and internally migrant students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, focusing on their journey from the campus to the Dhaka University MRT Station. Using PedCatch, the study identifies two routes that are within a 15-minute walkable distance. To assess their cognitive wayfinding behaviour, sketch map analysis and a structured questionnaire were conducted among the students. Findings indicate that Lynch’s spatial elements significantly contribute to shaping cognitive ability for navigating within the urban fabric. Results also show that local students demonstrate detailed mental representations and less reliance on digital navigation tools, suggesting that familiarity with the urban environment enhances spatial cognition. The study offers insights for urban designers to integrate cognitive perceptions into urban planning strategies, improving urban legibility in the digital era.
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series Proceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA
spelling doaj-art-46cb4c89507248b68d7740ed2d544e3f2025-08-20T03:50:20ZengAlanya ÜniversitesiProceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA3023-70092025-07-018110.38027/ICCAUA2025EN0300Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of DhakaFouzia Masud Mouri0Ridwan Noor1Ahmad Abdul Wasi2Maisha Tasnim3Department of Architecture, Faculty Of Architecture and Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, BangladeshDepartment of Architecture, Faculty Of Architecture and Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, BangladeshDepartment of Architecture, Faculty Of Architecture and Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, BangladeshDepartment of Architecture, Faculty Of Architecture and Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Wayfinding behaviour is fundamental to how individuals perceive and navigate urban spaces. Kevin Lynch identified five key elements that shape mental maps and enhance urban legibility. Every year, many students migrate to Dhaka for higher education. In the dense urban environment of Dhaka, wayfinding becomes challenging as their spatial perception differs from the local students. This study examines cognitive spatial perception and dependency on digital tools in wayfinding behaviour between local and internally migrant students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, focusing on their journey from the campus to the Dhaka University MRT Station. Using PedCatch, the study identifies two routes that are within a 15-minute walkable distance. To assess their cognitive wayfinding behaviour, sketch map analysis and a structured questionnaire were conducted among the students. Findings indicate that Lynch’s spatial elements significantly contribute to shaping cognitive ability for navigating within the urban fabric. Results also show that local students demonstrate detailed mental representations and less reliance on digital navigation tools, suggesting that familiarity with the urban environment enhances spatial cognition. The study offers insights for urban designers to integrate cognitive perceptions into urban planning strategies, improving urban legibility in the digital era. https://journal.iccaua.com/jiccaua/article/view/635Wayfinding; Legibility; Spatial Cognition; Urban environment; Digital Navigation Tools.
spellingShingle Fouzia Masud Mouri
Ridwan Noor
Ahmad Abdul Wasi
Maisha Tasnim
Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka
Proceedings of the International Conference of Contemporary Affairs in Architecture and Urbanism-ICCAUA
Wayfinding; Legibility; Spatial Cognition; Urban environment; Digital Navigation Tools.
title Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka
title_full Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka
title_short Comparative Analysis of Evolving Wayfinding Behaviours in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Dhaka
title_sort comparative analysis of evolving wayfinding behaviours in the digital era a case study of dhaka
topic Wayfinding; Legibility; Spatial Cognition; Urban environment; Digital Navigation Tools.
url https://journal.iccaua.com/jiccaua/article/view/635
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