desire path
Pedestrians' chosen route
A desire path is an unofficial trail worn into the ground by repeated foot traffic, typically cutting across a planned route or landscaped area.
These paths emerge organically where pedestrians find the designed walkways inconvenient: A desire path had formed diagonally across the quad.
The term extends to any user behavior that circumvents intended design: Analytics revealed desire paths through the website that the designers hadn't anticipated.
Route for pedestrians
- beaten trackCommonly used route
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
- dirt trackUnpaved racing course
- walkwayPath for foot traffic
bypass · crosscut · trod · goat track · corner cutting
Shaping cities physically
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
- foot trafficPedestrian movement volume
- accessibilityEase of approach
- landscape architecturePlanning outdoor environments professionally
Reducing volume through pressure
- habitat disruptionDamage to living spaces
- tramplingCrushing underfoot repeatedly
- wideningIncreasing in extent
- bank erosionWaterway margins wearing away
footpath
Route for pedestrians
- beaten trackCommonly used route
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
- dirt trackUnpaved racing course
walkway · bypass · crosscut · trod · goat track · corner cutting
urban design
Shaping cities physically
- wayfindingNavigating through physical spaces
- foot trafficPedestrian movement volume
- accessibilityEase of approach
landscape architecture · city planning · walkability · user experience
time saving
Reducing duration needed
compaction
Reducing volume through pressure
- habitat disruptionDamage to living spaces
- tramplingCrushing underfoot repeatedly
- wideningIncreasing in extent
- hiking trailsmountain trails, trailhead, trail sign, beach trail, trail map
desire pathsidewalk
Paved pedestrian pathway
paved path · pavement · pedestrian path · boardwalk · promenade
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