Lode – MAP DESIGN – NETZPLAN WIEN 2019

Description

Netzplan Wien is a schematic, A3-format public-transport map for Vienna created by Ben Lode to unify urban trains, underground, trams and later buses within city limits. Motivated by the lack of a compact tram-and-bus schematic, design principles emphasize legibility: strict use of 0°, 45° and 90° angles, horizontal station names, and a clear transport-mode hierarchy (regional/urban trains, underground, tram, bus). Geographic anchors such as the Danube and the Ringstraße were preserved; colors for urban trains and underground follow existing maps, trams use black for contrast, and terminus and stop symbols were standardized (colored rectangles/circles, later white circles with black borders and rounded corners). Subsequent editions added buses, a tram-focused variant (trams foregrounded, others as background), and a nightline combining Vienna’s two nocturnal networks. The maps—distributed free online and via an Android app—gained visibility through social media and demonstrate that principled schematic design can produce legible, recognizable citywide transit maps.