PUBLIC LIFE STUDY
ACTIVITY OBSERVATIONS
Activities include sitting (formal and informal), standing, waiting (on transit and to cross the street), physical activity, and commercial activity. Not observed during this study was sitting on the ground, lying down, cultural activities, and children playing. We also surveyed for focus activities such as working, using your phone, and eating or drinking things typically done in conjunction with in the original observed activities.
ACTIVITY: SITTING SITTING INFORMAL
Many office workers and students from the surrounding area utilize the cafe seating during the lunch hour
SITTING FORMAL
Woodruff Park Atlanta - Georgia DATE: Feb. 26, 2016 WEATHER: 47OF (8OC) Sunny
WHAT IS A PUBLIC LIFE STUDY? Public Life Studies are systematic observations of human behavior within a space. They allow us to understand how public spaces function and determine whether or not our current public spaces serve our community’s needs.
The chess court draws many players and crowds of observers to the park, no matter the weather
The ledge of fountains and planters provides informal seating for those looking for somewhere to take a short respite
ACTIVITY: STANDING OR LINGERING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
WAITING TO CROSS
STANDING
WAITING ON TRANSIT
WHY CONDUCT A PUBLIC LIFE STUDY?
Observing, measuring, and understanding how a physical landscape influences behavior is key to designing cities with a vibrant street life. Vibrancy not only encourages people to walk more frequently but also to stop, linger, enjoy, and invest in public spaces. By studying the pieces of public life in a space designers, planners, and citizens can begin to repair areas where our spaces are not meeting our goals of a walkable inviting city.
A few people purchase snacks from the kiosk, while others pose for photos in front of Speakers Corner
FOCUS ACTIVITIES CELL PHONE
WORKING
Members of the Downtown Ambassador Force are often seen in and around the park - keeping a watchful eye on the area and providing assistance and directions
EATING/DRINKING
ABOUT THIS STUDY.
This study was conducted in February 2016 on a week day during lunch hour. Two 10 minute activity surveys were done - taking a snapshot of activity within the park, paired with two 10 minute pedestrian counts capturing the flow through the park.
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We suggest doing follow-up studies to capture observations at different times of the day, comparisons of weekday versus weekend activity, and seasonal studies to see how use varies throughout the year as temperature and weather change.
A woman stops to make a call away from the flow of the sidewalk, and the noise of the street
THE LARGER CONTEXT
Woodruff Park is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Most people are willing to walk a half mile, and within this park’s walkshed are many attractors such as two MARTA stations, a food district, Georgia State University, many office buildings, and the State Capitol and associated government buildings. M !
PEACHTREE CENTER SHOPPING M !
PEDESTRIAN OBSERVATIONS
The chart to the left shows the relationship between pedestrian flow and lingering for different sections of the park. The southern end of the park (Area 1) had the most through traffic, and is a popular path for those going from Georgia State to the Broad Street food district or the 5-Points MARTA station. The graphic below shows the most common paths taken through the park. A man takes a shortcut through the park after purchasing lunch on Broad Street
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT
PEDESTRIAN COUNTS STANDING SITTING WAITING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
AREA 1
1
AREA 2
2
AREA 3
3
AREA 4
4
BROAD STREET
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RESTAURANTS M !
Study conducted by the
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY STATE CAPITOL
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AND CITY GOVERNMENT
1/2 MILE RADIUS
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Observed flows of pedestrians through Woodruff Park.
For more information on Public Life Studies or for assistance in conducting a Public Life Study in your community, contact us at: bikeped@ atlantaregional.com