When you’re in a rush or it’s pouring with rain, every second you can shave off your journey is valuable.

There might be a certain way you’re meant to take but sometimes your brain knows better and identifies a shortcut.

Why walk around the grass when you can just walk through it? Eventually, if enough people had the same idea, you may have collectively forged a new and more convenient route. Congrats.

At some point we have all probably contributed to one of these. What’s more likely is that we have all used one, maybe even today.

I use the same one each day on my way to work and look down at the pavement a few feet away with contempt, like it's beneath me. But it isn't beneath me because under my cheap shoes is a wonderful desire path.

I had no idea that there was a name for these, I'm sure there are many. If you call them something else then please let me know. We've compiled a few of Plymouth's desire paths in this gallery below - scroll right to move from one to another.

The discovery spawned a conversation with Alessandro Aurigi, professor of urban design at the University of Plymouth. He told me some real clever stuff.

“We call them 'desire paths' to distinguish them from the 'official' or designed ones," he said. "A path is born out of 'desire', as well as convenience and then becomes 'official' as people use it.

"So, if you imagine a totally spontaneous city, its paths would shape up out of the use and interaction of people and environment.”

That makes sense. It’s an interesting idea, allowing people to vote with their feet and decide where a path should be, based on the travelled route rather than the assumed or suggested. As mentioned in this article from The Guardian, the concept has been tried.

I find the notion of ignoring the designed walkway to be a very British rebellion. Whilst some desire paths can significantly shorten a journey, others seem so pointless and petty. Both are interesting as they highlight an issue between the city planners and inhabitants.

Alessandro explains further: "This tension has always existed in cities. I am sure in ancient Rome they had desire paths!

"It has become even more pronounced with the advent of the motor car and the planning of cities to be dominated by them. So, we expect pedestrians to walk on pavements which simply mirror the grid of roads built for cars.

“There are examples of public spaces where rigid expectations are less dominant, and rather than providing people with strict rules, they are left to more flexibly negotiate how they can use the place.

"To stay in Plymouth, look at this difference: on the one hand the main ring road between the University and Drake Circus. Pedestrians are 'protected' from cars by railings and pavements, yet forced into a rather unpleasant road-crossing experience. Some jump the railings, which is another invisible desire path.”

“On the other hand the contiguous setup of the East end of Cornwall Street, where there is no pavement, cars and pedestrians are forced to negotiate a shared 'blurred' space. As such the whole place is a desire path. Alternatively, none of it is as there is no need.”

Do you know any desire paths that have become ‘the way’ on your commute? Do you know any that have been paved over to become the ‘official’ route? I’d love to hear about them. You can email me here.