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Mapping the Use and Creation of 'Desire Paths' at Whiteknights Campus

Part 1 Dissertation 2020
Wiktoria Jarosz
 University of Reading | UK
A desire path is a rebellion against the imposed ruling of designed paths, through the creation of alternative, refined routes.

Desire paths are a form of resistance against what is ‘proper'; the research suggests there is a subconscious yearning for more organic routes which cut through imposed angular corners of rigidly designed paths. An analytical observation of Whiteknights Campus presents the importance of desire paths in urban design by creating mappings to examine their nature, offer user feedback, and provide a more personal exploration of space. The results suggest that desire paths are not just faster, alternative routes from A to B, but more of a translation of thought during urban navigation.

I have found desire paths to be more like performance art pieces, as their visual language is imprinted in the landscape to be walked by another user, creating a cycle of feedback for urban designers to consider while planning for the built environment. A desire path is derived from the needs of the surrounding area, meaning that one desire path cannot be re-walked in anoth-er location. Therefore, can removing a desire path be just as hostile as remov-ing a piece of art from its intended location, thus eliminating its meaning?
Wiktoria Jarosz
Tutor(s)
Penelope Plaza
2020
Photograph taken at University of Reading, depicting people making their own desire path to shorten their journey. Photo author’s own.
An example of a desire path through a natural barrier on Whiteknights Campus, Reading University. Photo author’s own.
Observation area indicating destination point on the map and beyond it. Navy circle is the placed of observation. Graphic author’s own.
A photograph from site presenting the path Cluster A takes to make their journey easier. Photo author’s own.
Maps at three intervals in the day presenting desire paths chosen by users, split into clusters. Graphic author’s own.
A visual representation of the findings based on the results from the tally. Graphic author’s own.
An overlay of desire path map and site map with places of interest. Graphic author’s own.
A close-up map showing desire path around natural barriers on site, Cluster B. Graphic author’s own.
A map showing the intensity of corner cutting, which create desire paths. Graphic author’s own.
A photograph of corner paved in order to cover a desire path. Photo author’s own. Photo author’s own.
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