Desire lines are abstract lines that represent the distance between the origin and destination. These lines are indicators of a heavily traveled path and are typically the most efficient route to a location. An example of this would be a dirt line through a grassy field or visible footprints through the snow.
I am also thinking of these lines as indicators of the experience one has while traveling. As one moves locations, is the journey one of excitement, sorry, longing, hope, resistance, rejection, or curiosity?
In the train station’s years of peak attendance, the desire lines must have flooded the area. However, as the years went by and alternate forms of transportation increased, people began to drift away from the station.
As the history of the Michigan Central Depot evolves, how do the desire lines shift and alter?
To learn more please visit:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~annstew/Detroit_Project/index_detroit.html
(high speed internet access is recommended)
