The public message was clear: maintain six feet apart. As people began to physically distance themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19, cities and rural areas unfortunately became ghost towns. Public space, green space, and city facilities, vacant. Sidewalks and streets, naked. Businesses and restaurants, scant. Where did all the people go"
The pandemic saw homes bursting with varied household compositions. Some households, more equipped than others to live, learn, and isolate together. Some households, more connected to nearby groceries and services. Some households, more privileged than others to access technology, arts, and culture. And some households, not adequate at all ? with temporary facilities using mats to accommodate individuals experiencing homelessness; stairwells and units crowded with children attempting to do their schoolwork; and dwellings in disenfranchised neighbourhoods lacking access to fresh sustenance. The pandemic has shown us that we often do not know what we want or need until we lose it: our urban spaces that connect us. What it has also shown us is that there is a tremendous gap between those with wealth and privilege and those without it.
When our city?s spaces and places reopen and people begin to resuscitate life on our urban streets and sidewalks, what lasting lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic will be imparted on our cities" Will the human psyche shift in favour of visions of city regeneration held by city builders and planner...