After the pandemic is before the pandemic: Rethinking urban priorities, assumptions and planning approaches

Abstract

The global covid-pandemic had significant impacts upon cities and city planning in the short, medium and longer term. Early severe disruptions to city living and working patterns prompted interventions from planners and the suspension of plans, largely based on projections of pre-pandemic data and trends. Longer term thinking has begun to settle into a pattern of reactions and approaches depending upon the characteristics of the city. This paper explores some of the responses to the pandemic and how cities are adapting and evolve towards a ‘new normal’ and what this might mean for planning and planners in future. Two questions are posed for future research following from this. First, will planners require new skills and knowledge going forward as cities adapt and evolve and, second, how can we better comprehend the full spectrum of responses and trajectories of city planning post-pandemic.

Keywords

• Urban planning
• Covid-19
• Challenges
• Post-pandemic