Authors : Akindele Abosede O.; Jinadu Raqeeb A.; Asianya Chukwuebuka D.; Olajolo Oluwagbotemi E.; Ademakinwa Olasunmbo O.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/52e34bcy

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/269mrzsz

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr774

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study investigates the spatial and behavioral factors that drive pedestrians to abandon established paved pathways in favour of naturally occurring desire lines across campus lawnscapes. Central to this phenomenon is the Principle of Least Effort, which posits that human behavior is largely driven by the desire to minimize the average rate of work required to complete a task (Zipf, 1949, as cited in Chang, 2016, p. 659). Utilizing a mixed-methods approach—comprising qualitative verbal interviews and structured digital questionnaires—the research analyzes how this principle, alongside route efficiency and visual connectivity, dictates pedestrian movement. The empirical findings from campus users provide actionable insights to guide sustainable landscape interventions, inform cost-effective path restoration, and optimize pedestrian flow design in university environments.

Keywords : Desire Lines, Landscape Architecture, Pedestrian Behavior, Route Efficiency, Soil Compaction, Bio-Engineering.

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