On the other hand, locals often avoid Times Square because it feels overcrowded and too focused on tourism. People who can’t afford to shop or eat at expensive restaurants might want to avoid the area. There’s a strong police presence that discourages homeless people from staying in the area. For those who are sensitive to noise, flashing lights, and big crowds, the space can be overwhelming and stressful. Times Square is meant to be a fun, exciting place, but it mainly caters to visitors and businesses rather than people looking for a quiet or personal experience.

Local businesses, especially restaurants and theaters, focus on Broadway culture as it brings business. However, activists might emphasize issues that push their agenda, which isn't a part of the issue that plague Times Square such as homelessness and small vendors struggling against big business. Because of this, it isn’t surprising that the story of Times Square changes depending on who is telling it, and that is why it is important to look at multiple perspectives in order to get the full picture.

In the Walking Lab Podcast (Episode 1), one key theme is the idea of sensory inquiry that is closely connected with Springgay and Truman’s work. Sensory inquiry is a concept that refers to the process of sensing or discovering as you walk, e.g., how the noise of Times Square feels,  how lights affect your vision, or how the flow of the crowd defines the way you navigate the space.  In the podcast, the hosts discuss how walking provides a holistic understanding of place because it involves sound,  touch, and sight, which create a single sensory snapshot of the space. For instance, the blaring of car horns, advertisements, and street performers in Times Square produce a sensory overload that can be overwhelming; however, it also defines how one relates to the space.

One of the most significant insights from both Springgay and Truman and the WalkingLab podcast is the concept of embodiment in walking research. When we walk, our bodies become part of it.  This is particularly apparent in areas such as Times Square, where various bodies such as tourists, street performers, and business people move through the space in a way that is consistent with their relationship to it. Walking is not merely a physical movement; it is the process through which our bodies are inscribed by the space and, in turn, inscribe it. For instance, as a tourist in Times Square, you may feel excited or overwhelmed, your body reflecting the stimuli in the environment, whereas locals will walk with intent and without making eye contact, walking at a different tempo.

The concept of rhythm is also crucial in defining the pace of Times Square. The WalkingLab podcast explains how beating, whether it is the rhythm of walking or the rhythm of the space itself, affects our experience of the place. During the day, the flow of people in Times Square is always different and depends on the time of the day. In the morning, it is still fast because of people going to work; in the evening, it is slower, but tourists line the streets. These rhythms are not only about time but also a representation of a wider cultural and social organization of the space. For example, the pace of locals is different from that of tourists. The different rhythms of different groups are what makes this space so unique and energized.

Walking research made me pay attention not only to the space itself but to the social interactions around Times Square. The interactions such as a street vendor negotiating with a tourist or a street performer hustling to make some money, shape the rhythms and flow of the space. There are also power dynamics at play. For instance, while tourists are welcomed in this space, marginalized groups, such as the homeless or protesters who voice their stance, may not always be welcomed in this space, which reflects social inequalities. But it also made me realize how the rhythm and the vitality of this space made me feel energized and revived. I am the city and the city became me.

In conclusion, walking research significantly enhanced my understanding of places like Times Square by engaging the senses, body, and awareness of rhythm of the people in the space. Springgay and Truman’s concept of sensory inquiry and embodiment, paired with insights from the WalkingLab podcast, helped me realize that walking is more than just movement—it’s an active form of research. It allowed me to experience how the space influences our bodies, how our bodies shape the space, and how our identities and histories are embedded into the area. By adopting walking research, we can better understand how spaces function not just physically but emotionally, socially, and culturally.

Not Actually a Square: Despite its name, Times Square is shaped more like a bowtie, formed by two triangles created by the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue.

Original Name: Before 1904, the area was called Longacre Square. It was renamed Times Square after The New York Times moved its headquarters there.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop: Since 1907, a giant ball has been lowered annually to mark the start of the New Year. The current ball is 12 feet in diameter, weighs nearly 12,000 pounds, and is covered with 2,688 crystal triangles.

Pedestrian Hotspot: Approximately 330,000 people pass through Times Square daily, making it one of the world's busiest pedestrian areas.

Theater District Hub: Times Square is at the heart of Broadway, hosting numerous theaters and making it a major center of the world's entertainment industry.