Public Space and Public Life Studies

The findings of surveys can inform strategies to change the public realm, as well as help us understand the impacts of changes. Have our changes to the City increased or decreased the number of people walking, and, the ‘walkability’ of the City? Gathering data on pedestrians at regular intervals provides important tests for how a city performs for the people who use it, giving everyone a good idea of where to focus future efforts. For cities that have never counted people, the first pedestrian counts are the most important, because these counts establish a baseline for future comparisons.

By conducting a survey of stationary pedestrians in public areas, we learn when, where, and why people are using public spaces. Understanding this basic information can lead to ideas about how the space can function better to support a lively atmosphere, as well as how to improve the quality of the space.

On this page, you can access reports produced or commissioned by the San Francisco Planning Department. If you have any questions related to methodology, reports, raw data, or anything else, please use the Contacts tab.