People movement services How we helpHow we workExpertsInsightsExpertsSectors


By 2050, 60% of the world's population will live in urban areas,1 intensifying pressure on public transport, public realm, leisure, education and retail spaces. Alongside evolving demographics, climate change and the shift toward cleaner, more active lifestyles are reshaping the decisions faced by investors, developers and project teams.

Our people movement consultancy services bring clarity to this challenge. Using pedestrian flow analysis and modelling to drive better outcomes, we translate real-world behaviour into clear, evidence-led insight, guiding masterplanning and development decisions that meet the evolving requirements of people, communities and governments.

The most successful places are not just well designed, they work intuitively for the people moving through them every day. We help clients use data to inform people-first schemes that deliver the greatest benefit while balancing complex spatial constraints.

Our people movement services

Design validation, sizing assessments and Future Ready capacity

We test layouts and circulation against current and forecast future demand to ensure spaces operate safely and efficiently not just on opening day, but as use evolves over time: now, tomorrow or in 30 years.

Our services include:

  • Capacity and sizing assessments
  • Design validation through testing of layouts, circulation and passenger flows
  • Future demand forecasting and resilience testing
Design validation sizing assessments and Future Ready capacity

Scenario testing and risk insight

We explore peak demand and “what if” scenarios to identify potential congestion, safety risks or operational constraints. This insight enables you to address issues early, supporting mitigation strategies and helping avoid disruptive or costly upgrades later.

Our services include:

  • Peak demand and stress test scenario modelling
  • Capacity, crowd and queue management
  • Testing of disruption and degraded scenarios
  • Informing mitigation strategies to enhance safety, resilience and operational efficiency
Scenario testing and risk insight

Spatial optimisation, wayfinding and placemaking

We optimise layouts, circulation and wayfinding to improve flow, legibility and space efficiency, creating places that are intuitive, welcoming and easy to use.

Our services include:

  • Spatial optimisation
  • Wayfinding strategy support
  • Placemaking strategy inputs, aligning movement performance with commercial, social and design objectives
Spatial optimisation wayfinding and placemaking

Crowd, evacuation and operational modelling

Using specialist pedestrian modelling tools, we model everyday and emergency conditions.

We use this data to inform safe design, robust operations and event planning, providing practical insight for owners and operators.

Our services include:

  • Dynamic pedestrian and crowd modelling
  • Evacuation modelling
  • Operational planning support, including staffing, security strategies and temporary infrastructure requirements
Crowd evacuation and operational modelling

Footfall, value and evidence-led decision support

We analyse footfall and movement patterns to understand how assets perform, identify commercial opportunities and how to reduce risk.

Our regulator ready outputs, including concise reporting, visualisations and simulation, allows justification of design choices, demonstrating due diligence to secure stakeholder and planning approval.

Our services include:

  • Footfall and desire line assessment
  • Spatial and visibility analysis
  • Urban Network Analysis (UNA)
Footfall value and evidenceled decision support

How we help

Shape safe places

We help you create environments that operate safely, efficiently and smoothly both in everyday conditions and in emergency scenarios.

Shape safe places
Futureproof performance

Future‑proof performance

By stress‑testing layouts early, we provide confidence that spaces will perform well at opening and continue to operate efficiently over the long term, while identifying opportunities to unlock additional value, including enhanced commercial performance.

Create resilient operations

We support clients in defining the appropriate provision of staffing, facilities and infrastructure, from ticketing and security to amenities and vertical circulation, ensuring environments are well-equipped without unnecessary overprovision.

Create resilient operations
Unlock intuitive movement

Unlock intuitive movement

We evaluate layout, circulation and connectivity options to identify which solutions perform best, enabling design teams to create environments that are safer, more legible and better connected to their surroundings.

Leverage data for impact

We conduct robust, transparent pedestrian flow analyses to support design decisions, stakeholder engagement and approvals.

Leverage data for impact

How we work


01

Scale and depth

We are one of the largest dedicated people movement consultancies globally. Our depth of expertise in tackling complex challenges, combined with our ability to scale support quickly for major programmes, enables us to respond rapidly as projects evolve.


02

Global reach

Our teams work across different time zones and geographies, allowing for quick mobilisation when programmes demand it – without compromising quality, communication or consistency.


03

Cross-sector expertise

We work across rail, aviation, stadia, major events, buildings, urban environments and more, applying insights from complex projects worldwide to create safer, more efficient and resilient places.

04

Integrated thinking

As part of a global multidisciplinary consultancy, we integrate people movement seamlessly with engineering, planning, design and operations. This joined-up approach supports more resilient, future‑ready environments that adapt as pedestrian considerations evolve.


Insights

thn-light-stadium

July 2026 | 4 minutes

Secrets of the super stadium
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July 2026 | 5 minutes

How to reinvent a stadium
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img-safer-mobility-thumb

August 2025

Safer Mobility
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svg-icon Biodiversity , Climate , Decarbonization , Energy Transition , Mobility , Places , Resilience , Resources , Society , Technology , Working at WSP
Translating complex human movement into solutions that genuinely improve how places work is what we do. Whether delivering a station, stadium, museum or urban masterplan, we work with engineering, design and operational specialists to turn analysis into practical, buildable solutions that enhance safety, user experience and operational efficiency.

Reference

1. World Urbanization Prospects 2025: Summary of Results

Experts

prf-andy-leeson
Andy Leeson
Head of People Movement
United Kingdom
Renata Buschinelli De Goes
Renata De Tonissi E Buschinelli De Goes
Technical Director, Liveable Places
United Kingdom
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