Gensler City Pulse 2026: People Love Their Downtowns. New Research Reveals How to Get Them There More Often.

The firm's largest urban study to date finds nearly three-quarters of global residents rate their downtowns highly, yet fewer than half visit even once a week.

SAN FRANCISCO - A new Gensler study of more than 35,000 city residents worldwide reveals a surprising disconnect: people love their downtowns, but very few actually visit. Released today by the Gensler Research Institute, City Pulse 2026: The Downtown Report represents the world's largest longitudinal dataset on urban experience since the pandemic - capturing how people engage with cities across time, geography, and culture. Surveying residents across 75 cities and 30 countries to understand how people experience and engage with their downtowns and what it would take to bring them back more often.

"People aren't staying away because they dislike their downtowns. They're staying away because the pull isn't strong enough, the friction is too high, or both," said Sofia Song, Global Cities Research Leader at Gensler. "There aren't enough reasons to go - or enough reasons to linger once they're there. Some of that friction is physical: getting there, finding a place to sit, escaping the heat. Some of it is social: the feeling that downtown simply wasn't built for you. Those are solvable problems, and the cities that solve them will see stronger economies, safer streets, and more vibrant communities."

A Global Challenge at the Local Level

The disconnect between how people feel about their downtowns and how often they visit isn't unique to any one city or region. It's nearly universal. And the data points to a clear culprit: downtowns that make a good first impression but don't give people enough reason to stay. Cities where residents think highly of downtown but rarely visit represent the largest untapped opportunity in urban revitalization.

Key findings from City Pulse 2026:

• Most people like their downtown - they just don't go very often. 73% of global residents rate their downtown highly, yet fewer than half visit even once a week.
• The longer people stay downtown, the more positively they tend to view it. Residents who spend more time downtown consistently rate their experience more highly, regardless of how often they visit. Getting people to stay longer is as important as getting them there in the first place.
• Vibrancy is self-reinforcing. Neighborhoods that feel lively attract more people, whose presence makes the area feel safer and more welcoming, which brings in even more visitors. Better street-level design, more to do, and well-lit public spaces can start that cycle.
• People want downtown to be a neighborhood, not just an office district. 40% of global residents say their ideal downtown in 10 years would be a lively mix of housing, shops, and offices. Across every type of visitor, walkability and a strong cultural and entertainment offering rank among the top draws. Somewhere to live, eat, work, and spend time, not just commute to.

Investing in Downtowns Pays Off for Everyone

The data points to a clear set of priorities for city leaders. Getting around remains one of the biggest frustrations: parking costs, limited bike lanes, confusing navigation, and unreliable public transit all rank among residents' top complaints globally. At the same time, the things that make downtown genuinely great - how attractive it looks and feels, what's happening after hours, the quality of lighting, and how safe people feel - are exactly where thoughtful design can make the biggest difference.

Read the full report.

About Gensler

At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren't just designing buildings - we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people's lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design.

About the Gensler Research Institute

The Gensler Research Institute is a collaborative network of researchers focused on a common goal: to generate new knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the connection between design, business, and the human experience. Through a combination of global and local research grants, and external partnerships, we seek insights focused on solving the world's most pressing challenges. We are committed to unlocking new solutions and strategies that will define the future of design.

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