this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2024
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Desire Paths

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Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 5 days ago (3 children)

There was one uni that didn't have paths until after the students walked over that lawns, then they made the paths based on the wear. wonder if this is that place.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 5 days ago (1 children)

That was OSU (Ohio State University) IIRC.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 5 days ago

Yep, I went to school there, it’s actually pretty interesting to walk on.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 days ago

I don't think this is a rare means of design. Mine also had desire paths replaced with concrete.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago

That’s what a “desire path” is

[–] [email protected] 21 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

That reminds me of three cities I used to frequent. You could predict their economic and political situation based on the way desire paths were being handled.

  • Place 1: poor, left-wing. Nothing, the desire paths were left alone.
  • Place 2: rich, left-wing. Desire paths were nicely paved over.
  • Place 3: rich, right-wing. They placed big branches on a desire path to block it. After people started climbing over them, they fell a tree on it.
[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

What about poor, right wing? I think we need a political compass for desire paths.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 days ago

What grass? That's just a parking lot.