Cities and Pandemics: Can We Virus-Proof Cities?

Delivery

This report comes in PPT.

Key Findings

Health crises are nothing new to cities

Cities have historically been subject to numerous health crises. COVID-19 presents an opportunity for cities to implement new and innovative measures in response to future epidemics and pandemics.

Urban mobility

With public transport becoming less popular, cities need to direct greater resources into pedestrianising and making urban areas more accessible to bicycles. Some cities have actively deployed pop-up bicycle lanes, while others have banned car travel to increase the space for walking.

Urban design

Cities should not focus on maximising population density. Instead, cities should build with nature in mind by providing citizens with easy access to green spaces for recreational and therapeutic purposes.

Urban buildings

Buildings should focus on investing in health screening technologies such as thermal imaging cameras at points of entry. Some cities are mandating the use of such devices in malls, restaurants and other public amenity buildings.

Urban self-sufficiency

Due to highly intertwined supply chains, cities need to become more self-sufficient in the production of essential goods. For example, vertical farming has grown in popularity during the pandemic, as it brings food production closer to its consumers.

Cities in the long term will be different

The long run will see cities change considerably in terms of mobility, buildings, urban design and supply chains. For example, more people working remotely could reduce demand for consumer mobility and could in turn advance growth in e-commerce. This could spur the rapid development of autonomous deliveries which have been put to practice in some markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.