Pedestrians are walking faster and lingering less in public spaces

US – Pedestrians in American cities are moving faster and spending less time lingering in public spaces, according to a new study from MIT’s Senseable City Lab.

Using computer vision and artificial intelligence to analyse videos from four locations in Boston, Philadelphia and New York researchers found that walking speeds rose by 15% between 1980 and 2010, while instances of people stopping to linger or interact fell by 14%.

These statistics signal a growing perception of city streets as corridors for movement rather than environments for social interaction. ‘These findings highlight a changing urban dynamic, where efficiency increasingly shapes public space usage, potentially impacting social connections and the community-building role of these environments,’ the study notes.

The implications for urban design are significant. To create spaces that encourage slowing down and social engagement new strategies may be required, from rethinking street layouts to enhancing the appeal of outdoor community activations.

For inspiration on innovative placemaking, explore our report Five Global Placemaking Projects to Watch.