What does it mean that in our cities and walking communities, we humans still carve out our own path? Sure it may infuriate the city planner and engineers, but ultimately we want to go in the direction we want and deem best for our travel. Ecologist and Forest Rangers maintain evolving trails that are the least disruptive to the given environment.  At one point, all human paths were desire paths.

With the evolution of human civilization, thousands of years of architecture science and design, the diverse culture creating our cities: We humans find ourselves living within an environment that sometimes mandates the creation of desire paths. Perhaps an environment that is not as supportive as we need, but is heralded by the old architecture and design systems. Architecture is important and we need modern human spaces, and it is imperative we find supportive communities that propel us on the path we want to be on. Collectively we all choose to walk the desire path and it is then a true option for others, following in our steps.

If you’ve heard of New York City, you know it is an excellent grid system. Broadway Street famously goes against this grid system, creating long diagonal street cutting through the city. This street was originally a desire path. The Wickquasgeck Trail was originally traversed by the Lenape people to move between settlements within the forest of Manhattan, at that time named ‘Manahatta'. Dutch colonist acquired the trail in the 17th century, renaming to BredeStraat (translates to ‘broad street’). Through out time this trail was widened, maintained, modernized and continues to be an important through fair of economic and human activity.

Ohio State University Architect Joseph Bradford allowed desire paths to inform the construction of concrete sidewalks.  During the winter season of 1914 he utilized a hot air balloon to observe the trails the students left in the snow. University of Maryland is also known to pave the path the students create.