Discover Tang Hall Heritage Trail App
App Development | Content Development | Research
| Audio Production
Developed out of a University of York graduate research project ‘reTelling Tang Hall’ and enabled by a Small Community Grant from Tang Hall Big Local, this project sought to create a mobile app to reinforce placemaking and local storytelling.
Experience Heritage partnered with community groups Tang Hall History Group, St Nick’s Urban Nature Reserve & Environment Centre and project manager Claire Boardman from the Digital Creativity Labs, University of York to create this easy-to-use heritage trail app for the Tang Hall area of York. It was rolled out on Apple and Android devices on 8 April, 2020.
Along with development of the application itself, Experience Heritage also provided assistance with research, content development and audio production.
Tang Hall Community Group
Tang Hall Big Local
Discover Tang Hall provides three walking tours to learn more about the historical places, note-worthy people and beautiful green spaces around York's Tang Hall Community.
Challenge
The Discover Tang Hall heritage trail mobile application was developed as a community-led project which sought to create a mobile app to bring engagement and education to an otherwise overlooked and misjudged suburban area of York. This area, now consisting of mainly council or ex-council housing, actually has a fascinating history including Roman, Norman and Medieval uses and occupation.
Solution
Content and design were developed through community group workshops and through independent research and development by Experience Heritage. Focus was placed on featuring the historical and environmental richness of the area which was otherwise hidden from everyday perception.
The heritage trail covers this vast history and features three themed trails, People, Places and Green Spaces, as well as a 'Pick a Character' section which introduces users to unique characters (animal, vegetable and mineral!) of the area.
Innovation
With backgrounds in both digital media development and its integration into heritage specific projects, the team at Experience Heritage was able to provide insight into how local histories, character stories and green spaces could be wrapped up into a user-friendly mobile application which encouraged locals and visitors to explore and learn more about this little-understood region of York. They were able to problem-solve how to incorporate ‘look, listen, learn’ points to each stop, provide accessibility for users of differing abilities and supply navigation solutions. Team Leader Bethany Watrous used her background in archaeological research to enhance the trail stop content and developed a user-experience strategy to suit the various groups’ needs.
