People flow
People flow is relatively new term used to describe the movement of pedestrians in different environments under different circumstances and at different scales. The term has perhaps historically been used to refer to the transit of populations between different geographical regions, but has now come to be used also in the context of urban planning, public space and the urban realm as well as circulation within or between buildings.
Whilst the term is less common in formal dictionaries, IGI Global a leading independent academic publisher of scientific research defines the term as "a physical quantity representing the number of people passing through a certain passage per unit time".
An industry perhaps considered as one of the proponents of the term are manufacturers of vertical transport systems such as elevators, lifts or escalators. Increasing the efficiency of such systems relies on an understanding of how occupants move around buildings of more than one levels, but also within individual levels.
In terms of the urban planning people flow might be used synonymously or as a derivation of pedestrian flow, footfall, walkshed, or circulation. It describes how people move around spaces, access areas, interact and occupy those areas, externally and internally.
Within buildings it can be important to know, for example which way people tend to turn when they walk into a shop. It can also be useful in evacuation planning.
As accessibility, security as well as observation technology within cities and buildings increases, the term may also be used in connection with barriers, mobility, public infrasructure, thermal imaging, CCTV, observation, face recognition and Smart cities.
The development of mobile devices has made it easier to track people flow, for example by offering free wifi, the terms and conditions of which allow operators to record subscriber's locations.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 15 minute city.
- Built environment.
- Cycling and walking plan.
- Designing for pedestrians.
- Desire lines.
- Space syntax.
- Pedestrian amenity
- Pedestrian priority street
- Pedestrian zone
- Pedestrianised.
- Psychogeography.
- Public space.
- Walking distance.
- Hub and spoke model.
- Landscape urbanism.
- Pedestrian..
[edit] External links
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.