A people-based density perspective on physical/virtual world spaces in the microcosmic city

•In microcosmic cities people lead lives in both physical and virtual world spaces.•Technology has reduced the role of propinquity for many activities, but increased the desire for face-to-face contacts.•People-based (threshold perceived) density can be mapped as continuous surfaces based at individuals’ point locations.•Travel mode-specific perceptual densities can help inform land use policy and aid in evaluating proposed developments.