By placing hoardings in publicly accessible areas while carrying out phased occupied
refurbishments, a contractor is temporarily redesigning that area. This reconfiguration
affects the normal pedestrian flows through such areas. A technique for the analysis of such flows has been developed under a general area of research called Space Syntax. This demonstrates the extent to which visual barriers both constrain and promote pedestrian movement. The main analytical techniques used are Axial analysis and Visibility Graph Analysis which are based upon lines or areas of
visibility. Empirical evidence is presented in observations carried out at London Victoria Station before and during a small refurbishment project involving the temporary closure of a single entrance. This evidence is in line with previous Space Syntax studies. The relationship between changes in the station configuration and
visitor numbers to retail outlets suggests the need to place hoardings in such a way that both movement and browsing areas remain spatially separated but visually connected. This is also suggested by previous Space Syntax studies and is incorporated into a brief set of general guidelines for clients and contractors to assist
the minimisation of disruption to pedestrian movement in publicly accessible areas
