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Spatial and social disparities in the decline of activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Greater London

Author

Listed:
  • Terje Trasberg

    (University College London, UK)

  • James Cheshire

    (University College London, UK)

Abstract

We use data on human mobility obtained from mobile applications to explore the activity patterns in the neighbourhoods of Greater London as they emerged from the first wave of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions during summer 2020 and analyse how the lockdown guidelines have exposed the socio-spatial fragmentation between urban communities. The location data are spatially aggregated to 1 km 2 grids and cross-checked against publicly available mobility metrics (e.g. Google COVID-19 Community Report, Apple Mobility Trends Report). They are then linked to geodemographic classifications to compare the average decline of activities in the areas with different sociodemographic characteristics. We found that the activities in the deprived areas dominated by minority groups declined less compared to the Greater London average, leaving those communities more exposed to the virus. Meanwhile, the activity levels declined more in affluent areas dominated by white-collar jobs. Furthermore, due to the closure of non-essential stores, activities declined more in premium shopping destinations and less in suburban high streets.

Suggested Citation

  • Terje Trasberg & James Cheshire, 2023. "Spatial and social disparities in the decline of activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Greater London," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(8), pages 1427-1447, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:60:y:2023:i:8:p:1427-1447
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980211040409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Scott Orford & Yingling Fan & Philip Hubbard, 2023. "Urban public health emergencies and the COVID-19 pandemic. Part 1: Social and spatial inequalities in the COVID-city," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(8), pages 1329-1345, June.
    2. Amir Forouhar & Karen Chapple & Jeff Allen & Byeonghwa Jeong & Julia Greenberg, 2025. "Assessing downtown recovery rates and determinants in North American cities after the COVID-19 pandemic," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 62(6), pages 1209-1231, May.
    3. Alexander Wray & Godwin Arku & Jed Long & Leia Minaker & Jamie Seabrook & Sean Doherty & Jason Gilliland, 2025. "Restaurant survival during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining operational, demographic and land use predictors in London, Canada," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 62(5), pages 909-931, April.
    4. Makoto Sakuma & Kazushi Matsuo & Morito Tsutsumi & Toyokazu Imazeki, 2024. "Measuring office attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic with mobility data to quantify local trends and characteristics," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 185-237, March.

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