Walking faster, hanging out less

A study by MIT scholars using computer vision technology reveals changes in pedestrian behavior in three northeastern US cities from 1980 to 2010. The average walking speed increased by 15%, while the number of people lingering in public spaces decreased by 14%. Factors like cell phones and indoor meeting spots like coffee shops may contribute to this shift. The findings could aid urban designers in creating or modifying public spaces to foster more encounters and community engagement.