Now that I think about it, I don't quite remember the number of pedestrians on the streets this century. I think it is slightly higher now compared to then, but

Now that I think about it, I don't quite remember the number of pedestrians on the streets this century. I think it is slightly higher now compared to then, but the total number of people outside is definitely higher. Reading the sibling comment, with constant population, this probably boils down to lifestyle choices. Do people live farther away from workplaces now? Are businesses more centralized/spread out? What would have to change to recover the lost freedom from traffic while keeping the population content?