Measuring public life (Public Space Public Life)

The Public Space Public Life (PSPL) method is a practical way to observe and document how people actually use urban space. It turns “soft” human behaviour into useful data that can guide design decisions.

Key techniques include counting stationary activities, mapping staying patterns, noting age and gender distribution, and recording how long people stay in different spots.

You do not need expensive sensors to start. A notebook, a camera, and systematic observation already reveal more than most dashboards.