Examining post-pandemic urban transformations: a literature review on COVID-19's influence on urban design

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.