A network of transit routes and greenways make Vancouver an easily walkable city.
To further help pedestrians navigate the city, the City of Vancouver placed pedestrian maps, or "wayfinding map stands," all over Vancouver.
But, to the confusion of some locals and visitors, the maps don't always face north.
According to City of Vancouver staff, the different orientation is because the pedestrian map stands are oriented as "heads-up."
"This method is seen to be more intuitive than traditional north-up maps as they are oriented in the direction you are looking and simplify navigation as features at the top of the map lie ahead of the map stand," writes a media spokesperson in an email to Vancouver Is Awesome.
They add that heads-up mapping is used worldwide including in big cities such as London. "Surveys conducted by the City confirm that a majority of users find the heads-up mapping easier to use than traditional 'north-up' orientation," they add.
