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Examining Post-Pandemic Urban Transformations: A Literature Review on COVID-19’s Influence on Urban Design

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Pacheco

    (Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto/CEGOT, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal)

  • Helena Madureira

    (Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto/CEGOT, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ana Monteiro

    (Faculdade de Letras, Universidade do Porto/CEGOT, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Background: Urban areas attract people looking to improve their quality of life. However, the urban territory has been organised without respect for biogeophysical support or a holistic strategy for distributing populations and activities in the available space. Recent urbanisation models, such as compact city approaches, were designed to enhance cities’ sustainability and resilience. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about how these models can still influence the spread of infectious diseases within urban spaces. Methodology: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the reassessment of urbanisation models to promote health and wellbeing, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyse the interventions implemented and documented in scientific research by several cities in the wake of the pandemic. Results: The analysis emphasises the city’s dedication to expanding open public urban spaces, preferably with closer access to nature, and potentialising its use, especially during times of lockdown. Conclusions: The effects of the interventions reported in the selected studies on urban communities are not yet known. Most of the interventions reported are not yet being/have not been monitored to understand their results on COVID-19 contagion.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Pacheco & Helena Madureira & Ana Monteiro, 2024. "Examining Post-Pandemic Urban Transformations: A Literature Review on COVID-19’s Influence on Urban Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-32, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10381-:d:1530817
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Creighton Connolly & Roger Keil & S. Harris Ali, 2021. "Extended urbanisation and the spatialities of infectious disease: Demographic change, infrastructure and governance," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(2), pages 245-263, February.
    2. Carlos Moreno & Zaheer Allam & Didier Chabaud & Catherine Gall & Florent Pratlong, 2021. "Introducing the “15-Minute City”: Sustainability, Resilience and Place Identity in Future Post-Pandemic Cities," Post-Print hal-03549665, HAL.
    3. Heyuan You & Xin Wu & Xuxu Guo, 2020. "Distribution of COVID-19 Morbidity Rate in Association with Social and Economic Factors in Wuhan, China: Implications for Urban Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Detlef Kurth, 2022. "City Models and Preventive Planning Strategies for Resilient Cities in Germany," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(4), pages 90-95.
    5. Marco Rossitti & Alessandra Oppio & Francesca Torrieri & Marta Dell’Ovo, 2023. "Tactical Urbanism Interventions for the Urban Environment: Which Economic Impacts?," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-25, July.
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