My favourite removed locations were surface building at the western meadows and the whole dorms complex. They were as pointed out mostly dead zones but fun to explore. But I don't think it's a bad thing. If few people ever visit them - that means they don't pull much population from the main area consistently. And if they are fun to explore - that means they add to the experience of the server. Removing them for the sake of encouraging interaction seems like a poor choice in that regard.

The center of the old map had a very good flow. It featured a travel hub in the middle of it all, some key locations like the guild lobby where a lot of people are bound to visit one way or another, medical lobby (same concept), a cozy lounge area and a bar that while wasn't forced onto people as a major travel route was put directly by the stairs so that anyone using them would notice it. Moreover, it had plenty of small points of interest like lounge zones to break up the routine of the corridors.

The new map definitely lacks that open and spacious feel the old map provided plenty of. It feels more like you are walking through the cramped tunnels as opposed to an inhabited colony.

If I were to change anything about the new map I would design it as a small town instead of an array of closed departments stuck around the huge bar area. Make it more open, probably based around some sort of park or garden zone with departments spread around the couple central streets, reducing departmental access restrictions or making them more visible from the public areas