Study Reveals Increased Walking Speed and Reduced Public Space Engagement

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has revealed that pedestrians in urban settings walk 15 percent faster and linger 14 percent less in public spaces compared to 1980. This analysis, which utilized machine learning tools to compare street-level video footage from the 1980s with contemporary recordings, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on July 24, 2025. The study, co-authored by notable academics including Professor Carlo Ratti of MIT and Dr. Edward Glaeser, the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics at Harvard University, provides critical insights for urban planners aiming to enhance public spaces.

The research focused on three northeastern U.S. cities: Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The methodology involved analyzing archival footage captured by urbanist William Whyte between 1978 and 1980 and contrasting it with new footage taken in 2010 at the same locations, specifically Downtown Crossing in Boston, Bryant Park in New York, and the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as well as Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. The findings indicate a marked shift in pedestrian behavior, suggesting that public spaces have transformed from areas of social interaction to thoroughfares primarily used for transit.

According to Professor Ratti, “Something has changed over the past 40 years. How fast we walk, how people meet in public space — what we’re seeing here is that public spaces are working in somewhat different ways, more as a thoroughfare and less a space of encounter.” This shift is particularly significant as it highlights the evolving nature of urban life and the challenges faced by city planners in fostering community interactions in these vital public arenas.

The decline in pedestrian group interactions, which dropped from 5.5 percent in 1980 to 2 percent in 2010, may be attributed to several factors, including the proliferation of digital communication technologies and the rise of indoor social venues, such as cafes and restaurants, which offer comfort that outdoor public spaces often do not. Dr. Arianna Salazar-Miranda, an Assistant Professor at Yale University and co-author of the study, noted, “Public space is such an important element of civic life, and today partly because it counteracts the polarization of digital space. The more we can keep improving public space, the more we can make our cities suited for convening.”

The researchers employed advanced computer vision techniques to quantify pedestrian activities, revealing that while the overall pace of walking in cities has accelerated, the nature of social interactions has diminished. The percentage of individuals walking alone only slightly increased from 67 percent in 1980 to 68 percent in 2010, indicating that while people may be moving faster, they are less likely to engage in communal experiences.

This research raises important questions about the implications of these behavioral changes on urban design and social cohesion. As cities continue to evolve, understanding pedestrian dynamics becomes increasingly crucial for urban planners and policymakers. The study's findings underscore the need for innovative approaches to public space design that prioritize social interaction and community engagement.

Looking forward, the MIT team intends to expand this research to include a broader survey of public spaces across Europe. Fabio Duarte, Associate Director of the Senseable City Lab, stated, “We are collecting footage from 40 squares in Europe. The question is: How can we learn at a larger scale? This is in part what we’re doing.” This ongoing research could provide further insights into the relationship between urban environments and pedestrian behavior, ultimately guiding future urban planning efforts aimed at creating vibrant and inclusive public spaces.