Density vs crowdedness: Real-world study

This real-world study tests the assumption that people’s subjective rating of perceived urban density is correlated to levels of crowdedness. Participants are guided along a predefined route in central Zurich. They are asked to rate their assessment of the urban density at key points along the route. The case study location is Europallee, a relatively new urban development in Zurich and close to the central train station; the level of crowdedness fluctuates greatly between peak and non-peak hours. The effect of crowdedness on participants’ subjective ratings of urban density is measured against the level of crowdedness at peak and non-peak hours. After the walk, participants rate photographs of locations of the route according to how dense they were.