Fresh Walk.
A Pedestrian-Centric Route Planner for Milan.
Fresh Walk is a mobile app designed to transform Milan into a walkable city by prioritising pedestrian needs.
In collaboration with MIT Senseable City Lab, this project aims to leverage big data to create actionable tools for designers and urban planners, addressing challenges like air pollution, limited green spaces, and pedestrian safety.
PSSD Seminar, Polimi. In collaboration with MIT Senseable City Lab. Design for Complexity — Turning big data into urban stories and actionable tools for designers.
Despite Milan’s potential to become a 15-minute walking city, several factors discourage walking,
Problem.
Limited Green Spaces.
Only 13% of Milan is covered by parks and greenery, making walking uncomfortable, especially during summer.
Car-Centric Culture.
With one of the highest car ownership rates in Europe, Milan's sidewalks are crowded, and pedestrian safety is compromised.
Traffic and Pollution.
Road transport contributes to one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for over 18,000 injuries and 100 deaths annually.
How can we encourage Milanese residents to choose walking as their primary mode of transportation?
Challenge.
Manifesto.
We envision a Milan where walking becomes the natural and preferred choice for everyone.
Fresh Walk is a service that goes beyond traditional route planning, considering factors like air quality, greenery, and the overall comfort of the walking experience.
Solution.
Mission: To seamlessly integrate walking into daily routines, foster well-being, and promote greener environments.
Values: Accessibility, Safety, and Sustainability.
Research and Insights.
Turning data into actionable solutions for pedestrians in Milan.
Fresh Walk integrates existing and new data to provide insights for improving pedestrian experiences.
Data Framework.
Key Insights.
-Pedestrian comfort depends heavily on air quality, shade, and safety.
-Milan’s car-centric infrastructure discourages walking and creates safety risks.
-Limited green spaces impact the pedestrian experience, especially in summer.
Proto Persona.
Bruno Bonetti — Neighborhood explorer.
55 years old — Teacher.
Lives in the suburbs of Milan.
Goals & Needs
— Maintain an Active Lifestyle
—Access Essential Services Easily
—Minimise Physical Strain
—Stay Safe in the Heat
—Find Rest Stops Along the Way
Proto Scenario.
On a hot summer day, Bruno prepares to visit the pharmacy to pick up his medications. Conscious of the weather, he takes precautions by drinking plenty of water before leaving. When he checks the time, he becomes concerned about reaching the pharmacy before closing hours. Remembering his son's recent advice, he decides to try using the FreshWalk app to help plan his route.
User Journey Map.
Data Journey Map.
Final UI Designs.
The welcome screen introduces users to Fresh Walk with a visually engaging layout, featuring the logo and a clear call-to-action button to get started. The sign-up page provides a seamless registration form, ensuring a smooth and intuitive onboarding experience. Returning users can access the sign-in page, which maintains a minimal and user-friendly interface for quick login.
To personalise each user’s experience, the app includes a detailed preferences form. This screen allows users to input their personal information, including name, email, age, and city. It also captures physical tolerance levels, such as preferred walking distance and incline. Additionally, users can specify environmental preferences, including path type, accessibility needs, and shade availability. For a more tailored experience, an optional health information section enables users to share any relevant concerns that might impact their walking habits.
The Fresh Walk app is designed to provide personalised walking experiences tailored to user’s physical capabilities, environmental preferences, and health considerations. The high-fidelity prototypes showcase the final UI design, emphasising a clean, nature-inspired aesthetic with soft green tones and organic shapes that reinforce the app’s focus on outdoor activity and well-being.
Home Screen. The home screen welcomes users with real-time weather updates, including temperature, air quality, humidity, and visibility. A dynamic background element reflects the current weather conditions, reinforcing the app’s connection to outdoor activity. Users can choose their preferred walking route by setting a custom location or browsing saved routes for a more personalised experience.
Route Selection. Once the location is set, users are presented with different route options based on their preferences. Each route is tailored to individual needs, offering choices like shaded paths or the fastest route to a destination. A clean and structured UI ensures clarity in route details, including estimated duration and distance.
Route Page. The active route page provides turn-by-turn navigation, guiding users through their selected path. It features a simplified map with clear markers, directional cues, and real-time environmental conditions such as temperature and air quality. The interface ensures ease of navigation while keeping users informed about their progress.
End of Route. Upon completing the walk, users are greeted with a summary screen highlighting key statistics such as duration, distance, calories burned, and step count. They have the option to save the route to favourites, rate their experience, and leave feedback. The UI maintains a cohesive design, ensuring a smooth transition back to the home page for the next walking session.
Explore FreshWalk in Action.
Experience the FreshWalk app firsthand. Click the button below to interact with the prototype and explore the user journey, from selecting a route to completing your walk.