Space and social distancing in managing and preventing COVID-19 community spread: An overviewSummary box
Ali Cheshmehzangi,
Zhaohui Su,
Ruoyu Jin,
Ayotunde Dawodu,
Maycon Sedrez,
Saeid Pourroostaei Ardakani,
Tong Zou
Affiliations
Ali Cheshmehzangi
Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Ningbo Campus, 199 Taikang East Road, University Park, Ningbo, 315100, China; Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, 1-3-1, Kagamiyama Higashi-Hiroshima City, Hiroshima, 739-8530, Japan; Corresponding author. Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Ningbo Campus, 199 Taikang East Road, University Park, Ningbo, 315100, China.
Zhaohui Su
Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
Ruoyu Jin
School of Built Environment and Architecture, Division of Construction, Property and Surveying, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK
Ayotunde Dawodu
School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, London SE10 9LS, UK
Maycon Sedrez
School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Saeid Pourroostaei Ardakani
School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Way, Brayford, Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Tong Zou
Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Ningbo Campus, 199 Taikang East Road, University Park, Ningbo, 315100, China
The spread of COVID-19 at a large scale and at a rapid pace indicates the lack of social distancing measures at multiple levels. The individuals are not to be blamed, nor should we assume the early measures were ineffective or not implemented. It is all down to the multiplicity of transmission factors that made the situation more complicated than initially anticipated. Therefore, in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, this overview paper discusses the importance of space in social distancing measures. The methods used to investigate this study are literature review and case study. Many scholarly works have already provided us with evidence-based models that suggest the influential role of social distancing measures in preventing COVID-19 community spread. To further elaborate on this important topic, the aim here is to look at the role of space not only at the individual level but at larger scales of communities, cities, regions, etc. The analysis helps better management of cities during the pandemics such as COVID-19. By reflecting on some of the ongoing research on social distancing, the study concludes with the role of space at multiple scales and how it is central to the practice of social distancing. We need to be more reflective and responsive to achieve earlier control and containment of the disease and the outbreak at the macro level.
