Principles of sustainability defend compactness, density and diversity as main characteristics of the optimal development of cities. These factors support public transport efficiency, economic activity, accessibility to equipments and services, proximity and walkability of streets and social exchanges in open public spaces. The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has called into question these factors perceived as booster of infections. However, dense and compact cities can also be the synonym of a more efficient provision of services, along with solidarity networks and creative solutions to fight the sanitary and economic crisis. Based on Alexander's (1965) concepts of 'tree' and 'semi-lattice', this study aims to identify areas in the urban tissue that could be self-sufficient, that is functionally autonomous to manage epidemics from the neighbourhood scale. Encouraging healthier lifestyles during lockdown is fundamental for social resilience. What alternative spatial approach to fighting epidemics could perform better? How could an "intermediate confinement" based on self-sufficiency and the promotion of healthier environments become a major priority for action? The analysis of Madrid (Spain) offers a suitable case study due to its density, diversity and high contagiousness during the Covid-19 crisis, revealing also some issues to apply such 'intermediate confinement' strategy, due to major spatial imbalances.
RESUMENEl comercio en entornos de proximidad es un servicio básico para la población, con múltiples implicaciones para la ciudad, la vitalidad del espacio público y la equidad social. Este trabajo indaga sobre las posibilidades del concepto y las medidas de accesibilidad, para, en el actual marco normativo que regula la actividad comercial, poder llegar a construir indicadores cuantitativos que sirvan para la protección y fomento del comercio en entornos de proximidad. Para ello, se analiza el encaje del concepto de accesibilidad dentro de las "razones imperiosas de interés general", las únicas que permite invocar la Directiva Europea 123/2006 "Bolkestein". A continuación se valoran diversas propuestas de indicadores para el caso comercial, de objetivos y aproximaciones diversas, proponiéndose un marco de análisis basado en su utilidad y precisión, así como su potencial para la planificación y normativa urbanístico-comercial.Palabras clave: comercio, planeamiento urbano, proximidad, accesibilidad, indicadores, urbanismo comercial.
ABSTRACTProximity to retail is a key factor for population, including multiple dimensions for cities, public space vitality and social equity. This study analyses how accessibility measures can be the base to support retail within the current legal context. First, it is argued how the notion of accessibility connects to the "overriding reasons relating to the public interest" that the European Directive 2006/123 "Bolkestein" allows to invoke. Proposals of indicators for retail -including diverse targets and approaches-are evaluated according to their utility and appropriateness, as well as potentiality to be included into both retail and urban planning regulations.
New informationand communication technologies (ICTs) are offering unprecedented opportunities and challenges for innovating in a collaborative way at the academic and research realm. With the purpose of taking advantage of these opportunities, a project called "Parallel Virtual Workshop (PVW)" has been set in a Master's Program to pursue academic internationalization, to provide professional exposure to students and to develop a multidisciplinary planning methodology. Within PVW, ICTs are used to assemble these goals, while cutting down costs. PVW proposal is described, outcomes are presented, and strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Finally, and since it is an ongoing project, future work is presented. Overall assessment indicates that PVW may become an integrated, efficient and innovative approach to respond to present challenges faced by postgraduate programs that intend to attract an international audience at a reasonable cost.
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