The author discusses the routes chosen by pedestrians when walking through an urban setting. These certain paths and routes can be regarded as the most convenient lines of communication within a given setting which link its most important nodal points. Such routes are arranged in such a fashion that pedestrians are able to navigate the setting with a minimum of conscious decision-making. Pedestrian routes usually fulfil the following criteria: (a) the route is the shortest one connecting point of departure (crossing or bus stop) with the point of destination (entrance or crossing), (b) the route must avoid physical objects or stationary groups of people, (c) the route must not involve sharp and rapid changes in direction, (d) the adopted route is the quickest and most convenient one to use, (e) the route must not lead across areas on which it is difficult to walk, (f) the selected route must not involve rapid changes in elevation of the walking surface, especially for older people and those with luggage or pushing prams, (g) the route is likely to provide interest such as shop windows, and lastly, (h) the importance of the location of the route in relation to the nearness of kerbs and walls.
Abstract