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Canadian Urbanism Uncovered

Urban Planet: Pedestrian Desire Lines

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Urban Planet is a daily roundup of  blogs from around the world dealing specifically with urban environments. We’ll be on the lookout for websites outside the country that approach themes related to urban experiences and issues.

Two major road revitalization projects in London, England have planners talking about pedestrian priority and behaviour. As The Economist reports, improvements to Oxford Circus and Exhibition Road have required a fundamental re-examination of pedestrian “desire lines” – the paths individuals choose to take, as opposed to the ones they are intend to. Desire lines generally favour visibility, long sight lines and constant direction. In London, giving in to desire lines has prompted the removal of guard rails and the installation of a pedestrian scramble.

Image from The Economist

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