COVID-19: Do High Densities Contribute to This Epidemic?
Below is a news round-up of articles relating to urban densities and COVID-19
COVID-19: Do High Densities Contribute to This Epidemic?
By: Jessica Ibes
4/10/2020
As concerns about COVID-19 spread from person to person, country to country, one can only wonder how urban landscapes participated in its advancement throughout the world. Dense urban setting undoubtedly contributed to a quicker spread of the disease – right? Do we need to accelerate suburbanization to help mitigate future effects of similarly impactful diseases? Or are high-density city layouts imperative in fostering a healthy community and future? Below are articles to consider how urban sprawl and high-density planning can help contribute to and answer problems relating to contagious diseases.
The qualities that imperil urban places during COVID-19 are also the keys to recovery. While high-density transit options can foster and spread diseases, other city qualities such as bike and running paths are providing relief to those practicing social distancing.
Growth of big cities turbo-charged the spread of the COVID-19. Due to globalization, it is even more essential to understand the origins and spread patterns of evolving diseases. Wuhan’s transportation system is the key in understanding how diseases spread across the world.
Will COVID-19 Spell the End of Urban Density? As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo commented on New York’s high density and plans to reduce that density, the idea of urban sprawl seems to be the only answer and the only path for future development.
COVID-19 Could Affect Cities for Years. Transportation alternatives could be the solution to solving and mitigating problems relating to Covid-19.
Coronavirus Reveals the Downsides of Urbanization. As the United States is 80% urban, it presents undeniable disadvantages to situations exactly like Covid-19. In addition to infectious diseases, there are many other negative impacts resulting from urbanization.
Suburbanization is Not the Answer To COVID-19. While some believe that because high-density urban settings can foster these rampant diseases, that they are then an unsuitable form of urban design; however, urban setting provide many benefits that can curb the effects of epidemics.
As an urban planning student, the idea that urban sprawl will be some city’s solution to contagious diseases is frightening; however, as a student it is essential to understand all avenues of thought in solving this crisis. Due to the immensely dynamic nature of urban setting and cities, there is no one solution to the problem of contagious diseases in high-density locations. There is always something to learn from every situation and I hope me, and fellow urban planning students, can learn to plan for our ideal city (and for most of us, that typically meant high density) along with keeping future epidemics in mind.