As cities emerge from coronavirus lockdowns, the way people use parks, stores, restaurants, transit, streets and homes is changing in ways both subtle and dramatic.
“Every week in America, people like Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd have their lives stolen because their visibility in public space goes against the ways we’ve come to understand who should have access to ‘outside,’” – anthropologist and urban planner Destiny Thomas
The Ford Foundation and four others plan to substantially increase their spending, a splurge financed in part by issuing debt.
As it stands, the streets belong to men. This can be taken figuratively, as well as literally. We’re well overdue for gender-equal cities
Prospect Park welcomes over 10 million visitors every year, and right now, it’s more crowded than ever. Beyond the lack of social distancing that has enraged some New Yorkers, parkgoers may not notice another new development: There’s no longer the same level of maintenance, trash collection, and gardening.
Cities face an uncertain future in the wake of Covid-19. Some predict a new wave of urban flight as public health, employment and affordability challenges intersect with an upsurge in remote work and connectivity that allows for more mobility.
Last week, 25 million Americans returned to public life. As more and more governors relax their stay-at-home orders and restrictions on businesses, that number will only grow, even as COVID-19 cases around the country remain higher than public health experts consider safe. We are at a precarious moment as a country, where we must balance recovery and caution.
Our shared economy depends most on what happens in between.
COVID-19 is a dangerous new reality, spreading indiscriminately and without regard for skin color or cultural background. Yet many black and brown Americans are dying at disproportionately high rates. Will this be the time that we stop talking about structural racism and finally do something about it?
A Gehl global survey on public space usage during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals an astounding glimpse into public life today.
