About modes of wAlking

An explorational study on walking by Christoph Kollert

Poetry and Politics of Walking: Pedestrians‘ Perspectives on the CityVertr. Prof. Dr. Steffen de Rudder, Dipl.-Geogr. Susanne Frank, Dipl.-Ing. Srdjan Mandic

What influences walking ?

Are there different modes of walking? different modes of wAlking

Observing walking speed and different paces

42-45 sec. 47-49 sec. 50-52 sec. 52-53 sec.

straight,with purpose

some with accesoaire:- bag, - dog, - child,- shopping bag - etc.

How does walking vary in a unspecivic space?Measured time for a distance of 47m on Theaterplatz in Weimar, Germany

fAst wAlking sPeed

Are there different modes of walking? Different moDes of walking

Observing walking speed and different paces

25-37 sec.

- straight,- with purpose,- with bag- very focused

- Couple or elderly

60-71 sec.

With:- ice cream,- buggy, - smart phone

without strong focus and wayfinding

95-115 sec.

fAst wAlking sPeed

slow wAlking sPeed

slrolling & roAming

How does walking vary in a unspecivic space?Measured time for a distance of 47m on Theaterplatz in Weimar, Germany

Are there different modes of walking? Different moDes of walking

Observing walking speed and different paces

Data indicates different modes of walking, i.e. that pedestrians might-choose different speeds to move through the space. How we walk seems to be more related with the mode, purpose and charakter of our walk. [the collected data supports only presumptions, for more elaborated results, further research is needed]

Pedestrians can be grouped according to their speed:

Identified modes of walking

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Anzahl  Grupp

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Überquerungsdauer  [s]  

Überquerungsdauer  Theaterplatz  

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Überquerungsdauer  Theaterplatz  

average speed:

= 50s/47m = 3,4 km/h

Fast Normal

focused

Slow Strolling

countedenteties

Time

Different moDes of walking

Observing walking speed and different paces

The data indicates, that the modes of walking [i.e. speed] correlate strongly with the purpose of the walk. The purpose is in this case main-ly connected to the properties of the pedestrians [Accessoires].Weaker correlations to „group size“ and „age“ can also be identified.

Walking speed shows correlation to purpose, charakter and acces-soire of the walking pedestrians:

Relation of walking mode and purpose

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Kaffee   Tüte   Rad     Tasche   Hund   ohne  Gegenstand  

Kamera   Kinderwagen   Eis  

durchschni)liche

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Kaffee   Tüte   Rad     Tasche   Hund   ohne  Gegenstand  

Kamera   Kinderwagen   Eis  

durchschni)liche

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rque

rungsdau

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Accessoire  

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Cofffee plastic carrier bag

Bike Bag Dog without anything

Camera Babybuggy

Ice cream

Time

Accessoire

Different moDes of walking

Observing walking speed and different paces

The psychological basis of the metropolitan type of individuality consists in the intensification of nervous stimulation which results from the swift and uninterrupted change of outer and inner stimuli.

Georg Simmel, 1903 The Metropolis and Mental Life

What influences walking?literAture & theoriy

Overview of thoughs, theories on walking

Wayfinding:Lively streets

Katzig&Popp, 2012, Unterwegs in fremden Umgebungen

... unter dem Begriff des wayfin-ding sowohl die kognitive als auch die sich im konkreten Verhal-ten ausdrückende Fähigkeit einer Person betrachtet, ein räumli-ches Ziel zu erreichen (Passini 1984: 154). Wayfinding wird dabei als einräumlicher Problemlösungs-prozess verstanden (vgl. Passini 1996: 322)...

Praxiological model according to Katzig&Popp:

Jan Gehl Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space, Danish Architectural Press. 2006

Cities for People, Island Press. 2010

In general:

Stimulationg edges improve wal-king and experience. Interesting and attractive streets triggers people to stroll and to stay.

Liveliness and other people in-crease the quality of the street asmosphere.

Accessable, well designed streets, /walkable streets are used more often by pedestrians

PracticalKnowledge

ActualPerformance

-> GEHL

-> SIMMEL

-> HUMPERT

Perceived Environment

Literature & theoriy

Overview of thoughs, theories on walking

What influences walking?

Metropolis & Mental lifeGeorg Simmel, 1903,

Volume 5. Wilhelmine Germany and the First World War, 1890-1918Georg Simmel, “The Metropolis and Mental Life” (1903)

Blase attitude/protective organ

... This incapacity to re-act to new stimulations with the required amount of energy constitutesin fact that blasé atti-tude which every child of a large city evinces when compared with the products of the more peaceful and more stable milieu...

Rationality

... The calculating exac-tness of practical life which has resulted from a money economy corres-ponds to the ideal of na-tural science, namely that of transforming the world into an arithmetical pro-blem and of fixing every one of its parts in a ma-thematical formula. It has been money economy which has thus filled the daily life ...

... Thereby, the interests of eachparty acquire a relentless matter-of-factness, and its rationally calculated economic egoism...

Social circles

The most elementary sta-ge of social organizati-on which is to be found historically, as well as in the present, is this: a relatively small circ-le almost entirely closed against neighboring for-eign or otherwiseantagonistic groups but which has however within itself such a narrow co-hesion that the individu-al member has only a very slight area for the de-velopment of his own qua-lities and for free acti-vity for which he himself is responsible. ...

Groups close against environment

Members adjust

Practikal life/rationality produces mechanismsinterests produce relentless-ness

Overstimulation, stress, influences produce the blasé attitude / Protective organ

What influences walking?Literature & theoriy

Overview of thoughs, theories on walking

Vorwegkontrolle

Klaus Humpert, 2012, Lauf-spuren, 2012

Die permanenten Pendelbewegungen zwischen der Fernnavigation (Blick-fenster I) und der „vorsichtigen“ Bodenkontrolle (Blickfenster II) konnten durch ein kleines Ex-periment noch weiter bestätigt werden.

Das Experiment zeigt, dass die genaue Kontrolle unseres Vorfelds in der Verlängerung unserer Lauf-linie offensichtlich ein sehr wich-tiges und notwendiges Verhaltens-muster ist.

Feldversuch

Manipulation der Dauer der Sichtintervalle

Nun war der Beobachter höchst neugierig, ob bei der Entdeckung der Sichtintervalle und ihrer unterschiedlichen Dauer eine all-gemeine Gesetzmäßigkeit vorliegt.Die permanenten Pendelbewegungen zwi-schen der Fernnavigation (Blickfenster I) und der „vorsichtigen“ Bodenkontrolle (Blickfenster II) konnten durch ein kleines Experiment noch weiter bestätigt werden. Nur durch einen kleinen Trick wurden die Rahmenbedingungen verändert: Der Läufer verbietet sich selbst, dem pen-delnden Blickwechsel zu folgen und hält starr an der Fernbeobachtung oder an der Bodenkontrolle fest. Dieser innere Befehl ist leicht zu geben und anfänglich auch einzuhalten, jedoch nur mit großer An-strengung länger durchzuhalten. Ein ei-genartiges Unbehagen erfasst den Läufer und führt fast zu einer Stresssituation. Er bittet geradezu seine inneren Befehlsge-ber, endlich wieder die alternative Beob-achtung zuzulassen. Sobald diese wieder zugelassen wird, tritt sofort eine ange-nehme Entspannung ein. Es ist praktisch nicht möglich, die Teststrecke – nur mit dem Blick auf den Zielpunkt ausgerichtet – zurückzulegen. Das Experiment zeigt, dass die genaue Kontrolle unseres Vorfelds in der Verlän-gerung unserer Lauflinie offensichtlich ein sehr wichtiges und notwendiges Verhal-tensmuster ist.

Läufer mit Blickfenster

Sichtintervalle

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Both short distance and long distance are alernately observed.

Path is constantly optimized and reduced to the shortest distance.

Wayfinding follows a long distance goal

Walking results in a programatic performance

What influences walking?

Feldversuch

Manipulation der Dauer der Sichtintervalle

Nun war der Beobachter höchst neugierig, ob bei der Entdeckung der Sichtintervalle und ihrer unterschiedlichen Dauer eine all-gemeine Gesetzmäßigkeit vorliegt.Die permanenten Pendelbewegungen zwi-schen der Fernnavigation (Blickfenster I) und der „vorsichtigen“ Bodenkontrolle (Blickfenster II) konnten durch ein kleines Experiment noch weiter bestätigt werden. Nur durch einen kleinen Trick wurden die Rahmenbedingungen verändert: Der Läufer verbietet sich selbst, dem pen-delnden Blickwechsel zu folgen und hält starr an der Fernbeobachtung oder an der Bodenkontrolle fest. Dieser innere Befehl ist leicht zu geben und anfänglich auch einzuhalten, jedoch nur mit großer An-strengung länger durchzuhalten. Ein ei-genartiges Unbehagen erfasst den Läufer und führt fast zu einer Stresssituation. Er bittet geradezu seine inneren Befehlsge-ber, endlich wieder die alternative Beob-achtung zuzulassen. Sobald diese wieder zugelassen wird, tritt sofort eine ange-nehme Entspannung ein. Es ist praktisch nicht möglich, die Teststrecke – nur mit dem Blick auf den Zielpunkt ausgerichtet – zurückzulegen. Das Experiment zeigt, dass die genaue Kontrolle unseres Vorfelds in der Verlän-gerung unserer Lauflinie offensichtlich ein sehr wichtiges und notwendiges Verhal-tensmuster ist.

Läufer mit Blickfenster

Sichtintervalle

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Literature & theoriy

Overview of thoughs, theories on walking

How do we experience walking?CAse studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences

Analysis

Location

Case studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences

Case Study I. „Pilse“ 14.12.2014

1 person:

steady rhythm, continuity, undistructed

walking clearly, experienceablevery clear, mechanic walking pace

praxiologic approach: walking mode + environment

Walking strongly adjusted to environment.

Walking programm steering mo-vement.

minimal exchange with/attention for Environment

This mode is very programatic!

Place:Pilse, Erfurt

Time:7:00-10:00am15:00-20:00pm

Typical purpose:to/from train station

Walking mode:functional, steady,

fast, in a hurry

Focus:on direct front,

optimizing pathway

Environment:low attention

well known environmentlow excitement, functional

steady pace

Analysis

Location

Case studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences

2 persons:

steady rhythm, continuityundistructed,

walkers syncronize paceSyc stronger when not talking

clear, focused pace

focus at walking/talking part-ner,small social circle (Simmel)

Walkers sync paceGroups walk introverted (specially when not talking)

Case Study I. „Pilse“ 14.12.2014

Typical purpose:to/from train station

Walking mode:functional, steady,

while wakling

Focus:on direct front,

pathway

Environment:low attention

well known environmentlow excitement, functional

high voice

not syncedsynced pace

low voice

Place:Pilse, Erfurt

Time:7:00-10:00am15:00-20:00pm

Analysis

Location

Case studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences

Typical purpose: to/from train station

Walking mode: functional, in a hurry

Focus: highliy focused on direct front,in between ped., avoiding tram & collision

Environment: Stressy, Overflow

no steady rhythm, experienced

continuity, but adjusted to di-structions

walking blends into daily bustle

constant awareness of possib-le challenges and dangers, thus less awareness of surroundings

rational walking pace, avoiding collitions on auto modus

> taxis (the reaction of an orga-nism in response to a stimulus)

Simmel: Protective organ!Humpert: auto modus,programatic constant adjustments. Katzig&Popp: stesssfull athm.

Place:Bahnhofs-straße, Erfur

Time:7:00-10:00am 15:00-20:00pm

Case Study II „Bahnhofsstr.“ 14.12.2014

Tram noise

Analysis

Location

Case studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences Typical purpose:

going home/groceries

Walking mode:functional, focused

inbetween obstacles

Focus:on direct front,

finding way through the ppl.

Environment:directed walking through crowd

distance points as goal

no steady rhythm, experienced, stop-and-gofighting throug the crowd

heavily influenced by various dis-tructions (noise, pushing, Glühwein)

pedestrian as part of the crowd

constant awareness of possible challenges and dangers high awareness of surroundings! -> less freedom -> aggression!very active rational walking,

Simmel: Relentlessness! Rationality Stress/stimulation leads to rati-onality,agressionHumpert: adjusting to distance goalPopp&Katzig: walking constantly adjusted to environment.

Place: Weniger-markt, Erfurt

Time:18:00-21:00pm

Case Study III „Wenigermarkt“ 14.12.2014

loud voices

Analysis

Location

Case studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences

Typical purpose: going home/groceries

Walking mode: functional, focused,

Focus: on direct front, finding way through the people

2 persons:slower rhythm, stop-and-go following the stream walking & looking around -> strong experiences - walking very programatic

very introverted walkingbut wide perception, curiositywalking and way-choosingsubconcious, less fast&risky

Simmel: high stimulation, less ratoinal & effecti-ve walking mode. Protective organ „opened“ K&P: Athmosphere influences walking mode.Humpert: automatic way-optimizing Gehl: Edges & people = walkability

Place:Weniger-markt, Erfurt

Time:18:00-21:00pm

Case Study IV „Kraemerbruecke“14.12.2014

Other groupsTalking

faster, synced pace

when going down

Analysis

Location

Case studies

Analyzing daily walking experiences

Typical purpose:going home alone

Walking mode:functional, focused

introverted/virtual

Focus:smartphone,distance goal

low short distance attention

Environmentno perception, (ear-plugs)

not aware

?unconcious rhythm, (adjusted to music [eaphones])

Perception of the environment totally reduced to minimum

long distance navigation,minimal short distance taxis

Walking totally on subconcious minimal auto mode [programatic].

Simmel: no outside stimulationtotal protectionHumpert: walking reduced to minimun modeP&R: praxiology highly dis-tructed, als environmental perception is missing

Place: Inner city, Erfurt

Time:18:00-23:00pm

Case Study V „Smartphone“14.12.2014

Melody

base drum

beat drops

Walking on these streets, until the night falls, my life feels to me like the life they have. By day

they’re full of meaningless activity; by night, they’re full of

meaningless lack of it. By day I am nothing, and by night I am I. There is no difference bet-ween me and these streets, save they being streets and I a soul,

which perhaps is irrelevant when we consider the essence of things.

Fernando Pessoa, from „A Factless Autobiography“

in The Book of Disquiet, tr. by Richard Zenith.

Stimulation,FocuS vs ExpEriEncing

How stimulation and perception influences walking

Considerations

Stimulation,FocuS vs ExpEriEncing

How stimulation and perception influences walking

Considerations

Important purpose

conkrete destination

Concious walking

Automatic walkingprogramatic walking

Blasé

Taking a walk

Walking the dog

Tourists

Running

Agressiv

FleeingEscaping

Walking home

Walking withsmart phone

Walking & Talking

Enjoying steet life

Flaneur

Police on patrol

Derivé

Commuting in morning traffic

no purpose / Strolling

no destination / lost

Experiencing the environment

Focused / undisctructed

Desctructed / stimulatedNot experiencing the Environment

Poetry and Politics of Walking: Pedestrians‘ Perspectives on the CityVertr. Prof. Dr. Steffen de Rudder, Dipl.-Geogr. Susanne Frank, Dipl.-Ing. Srdjan Mandic

The diversity of walkingimPortAnCe for urbAn design

What can urban designers learn form this study?

Importance for urban desIgn

What can urban designers learn form this study?

Pedestrinans have individual walking modesPedestrians, aswell as their act of walking, is very diverse!

walking is influenced by many different factorsBut the main factors are the purpose and the environment.

Designing complex spaces for walking needs complex solutions.„Zoning and paving is not enough!“

[Opening and sherpening your senses makes you aware of your environment and there makes you a better designer.]

walking differs in stimulation and PercePtion The combination of both distinguishes the modes of walking.

the city needs to accomodate all Pedestriansand their choosen modes of walking. All modes might appear everywere.

Thus, public space needs to be multicoded and multylayered.

The diversity of walking

Thank you for joining my exploration on walking in ours cities.

Explore it on your own!

About modes of wAlking

An explorational study on walking by Christoph Kollert