From Urban-Scape to Human-Scape: COVID-19 Trends That will Shape Future City Centres

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic did not only impact all spheres of life but came abruptly to redefine our understanding of the urban-scape. With changing user-values and user-needs, there is a renewed realisation of the importance of the human-scape and how human capital, social issues, and liveability considerations will progressively lead urban development discussions. The urban-scape risk is far more complex and fragile than previously anticipated, with the future of the city centre dependent on our ability to successfully manage the transition from an urban-scape to a human-scape. This research employed a narrative review methodology to reflect on COVID-19 trends that will shape future city centres, based on expert contributions pertaining to (1) the community sector, (2) the public sector, and (3) the private sector within the Sydney Metropolitan area of Australia. The research highlighted the changing human-scape needs and associated impacts of (1) changing movement patterns, (2) changing social infrastructure, and (3) increasing multifunctionality, which will be crucial factors in shaping attractive (future) city centres. The research contributes to the notion that future city centres will embrace and prioritise the human-scape in a response to ‘build back better’, and accordingly, identified how the human-scape can be articulated in broader spatial planning approaches to create attractive future city centres.

Exploring non-linear built environment effects on urban vibrancy under COVID-19: The case of Hong Kong

“…This means that commercial activities are more sensitive and vulnerable to the pandemic than employment activities. The results are consistent with existing studies ( Cilliers et al, 2021 ; Glaeser, 2022 ; Honey-Rosés et al, 2020 ). As for functional mixture, Simpson index's vibrancy effects were stronger than those of richness index for the pre-COVID-19 outbreak period, which suggests that heterogeneity and evenness of functions together can better boost place vibrancy.…”

“…The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the socio-economic, cultural, and political vulnerability of urban landscape ( Bashir et al, 2020 ; Glaeser, 2022 ). Contemporary consumption spaces are particularly vulnerable amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for “consumer cities” like Hong Kong ( Cilliers et al, 2021 ; Glaeser, 2022 ; Honey-Rosés et al, 2020 ). A higher level of vibrancy in these spaces could lead to a higher risk of infection during the COVID-19 outbreak, while a lower level of vibrancy, resulted from the new routines to prioritize the health agenda, such as keeping safe distances from others, reducing mobility, and embracing virtual life (e.g., e-commerce, telecommuting), could make business difficult to survive during the outbreak and to recovery after the outbreak.…”

Reimagining the Future of the Sydney CBD: Reflecting on Covid-19-Driven Changes in Commercial and Residential Property Trends

“…The previous sections have discussed the residential and commercial markets in the Sydney CBD. The data shows there has been a change in trend since the normalisation of the Covid-19 pandemic, the acceptance of "learning to live with Covid-19," and adequate response measures put in place, including social distancing measures, flexible working arrangements, and prioritised health considerations (Cilliers et al, 2021). The residential market has started to intensify, reflected in the increase in rental prices and the decrease in vacancy rates.…”

Towards European Transitions: Indicators for the Development of Marginal Urban Regions

“…Land 2023, 12, 27 2 of 20 These challenges have been the opportunity and the boost to implement new policies seeking for a more environmentally sustainable, social, digital, and resilient Europe [1][2][3].…”

“…The second (2), fourth (4), and sixth pillar (6) are tightly related to social transitions that Europe must handle. Social fairness, equity, resilience, and welfare are the targets under these pillars.…”