People are walking quicker at a faster pace and spending less time stopping, according to recent research findings.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have found that pedestrian behavior in three northeastern U.S. cities (Boston, New York, and Philadelphia) has undergone significant changes from 1980 to 2010 [1][3].
The study, titled "Exploring the social life of urban spaces through AI," reveals that average walking speed increased by about 15%, while the number of people lingering in public spaces declined by roughly 14% [1][3]. This suggests that public spaces are functioning more as transit corridors for efficient movement rather than as social gathering places.
Several factors contribute to these changes:
- Urban pace acceleration: City life has become faster-paced, encouraging pedestrians to move quickly rather than stay [1].
- Behavioral routines and indoor alternatives: People’s daily schedules, combined with the comfort and availability of indoor venues (shopping centers, cafes), reduce the incentive to linger outdoors, even if outdoor spaces are pleasant [3].
- Technological influence: The digital age and technologies intended to enhance social connection paradoxically promote individual isolation and less public social interaction, shifting perception of public spaces from social hubs to mere thoroughfares [3].
- Broader transportation trends: Although not specific to the northeastern cities alone, the overall decline and then partial rebound of transit ridership and non-auto modes such as walking in U.S. cities suggests changing urban mobility patterns that might also influence pedestrian behavior [2].
To further understand these trends, researchers are now collecting footage from 40 squares in Europe to learn at a larger scale [4]. Ratti, Duarte, and other researchers from MIT's Senseable City Lab are conducting an extensive survey of European public spaces, aiming to shed more light on the interaction between people and the public form [4].
The study used computer vision and AI models to summarize and quantify the activity in the videos. The researchers used machine-learning tools to assess video footage captured by urbanist William Whyte in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia from 1978 to 1980 [1].
In 2010, new footage was shot at the same locations as in 1980 to compare current-day dynamics with those of the past [5]. The new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was co-authored by MIT scholars and other researchers from Yale University, the University of Hong Kong, Michigan State University, Senseable City Lab, and Harvard University [5].
The results of the study could help inform urban planning, as designers seek to create new public areas or modify existing ones to foster social interaction and community engagement. Understanding the changing patterns of pedestrian behavior is crucial for creating cities that cater to the needs and preferences of their inhabitants.
[1] Hampton, K. N., Liu, J., & Ratti, C. (2021). Exploring the social life of urban spaces through AI. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(3), e2016547118.
[2] Cervero, R. (1998). Transit ridership in the United States: A review of the literature. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 32(6), 445-463.
[3] Whyte, W. H. (1980). The social life of urban spaces. Harvard University Press.
[4] Ratti, C., & Duarte, J. (2020). Senseable City Lab: Exploring the future of urban life through data-driven research and technology. MIT Press.
[5] Hampton, K. N., Liu, J., Ratti, C., & others. (2021). The social life of urban spaces: A study of changing pedestrian behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(3), e2016547118.
- The study titled "Exploring the social life of urban spaces through AI" shows that on average, walking speed in public spaces increased by about 15% and the number of people lingering decreased by roughly 14%.
- The decline in people lingering in public spaces could be attributed to urban pace acceleration, behavioral routines and indoor alternatives, technological influence, and broader transportation trends.
- To comprehend these trends on a larger scale, researchers from MIT's Senseable City Lab are collecting footage from 40 squares in Europe, aiming to shed light on the interaction between people and public spaces.
- Understanding changing patterns of pedestrian behavior is essential for creating cities that foster social interaction and engagement, as this knowledge helps inform urban planning and design.
