Rebuilding sustainable post-COVID cities

The COVID pandemic has exposed chinks in the armour of cities across the globe. While cities have for decades driven the economic narrative, they have also thrown up disparities and inequalities among the population in most parts of the world. Cities have played leading roles in generating employment, livelihoods and incomes; thereby pulling millions out of poverty. Yet, the distribution of these benefits has been uneven resulting in deep rooted and growing disparities among city dwellers. Access to housing, healthcare, education and services have been unequal. These were on stark display during the pandemic. Cities saw high infection rates, and dwindling economic activity resulting from restrictions put in place to control spread of the disease. Livelihoods of migrants from the rural hinterland, already living in challenging conditions in the city, were the most affected.
The pandemic has revealed a world of complex, connected and high-impact risks. More so for the cities. Cities are highly vulnerable being exposed to climate risks and natural disasters since they host large populations (over half of the total) in high density conditions, and a disproportionately large share of emissions. These risks and vulnerabilities have deepened during the pandemic. The already deep-rooted disparities and inequalities have got amplified.
Governments at all levels across geographies have responded in several ways. On the one hand, vigorous efforts have been made to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure with all round beefing up of manpower, equipment and facilities. This is evident now in the mass vaccinations being undertaken by both, the public and private service providers. Alongside, there is realization of the need for safety nets for vulnerable sections of the population, primarily in terms of food security. This is being provided through free rations, subsidized meals and the like, with big support from civil society.
In addition to building more efficient healthcare systems and providing effective safety nets, policymakers must also work to build more resilient cities. This is crucial since cities are more vulnerable in pandemic situations. Alongside, any disruption in the economic activity in cities can have a big impact on the larger economy and on a larger number of citizens. We have seen this during COVID-19. “One of the biggest lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis is that sustainable, resilient cities were able to handle the pandemic better,” according to Jan Vapaavuori, the Mayor of Helsinki. In the aftermath of the COVID crisis, as we rebuild, we must rededicate ourselves to the objective of achieving better liveability of our cities by addressing inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability. Our work must include the creation of appropriate amount of green spaces, promotion of clean and green energy, effective and efficient waste management through reuse and recycling, sustainable use of natural resources like air and water, and protection of the natural ecosystem, among others. COVID-19 can be seen as a reminder and an opportunity for our cities to rededicate themselves to building a sustainable future for all on this planet. In the words of Diana Urge-Vorsatz, Professor at the Central European University of Budapest, Hungary, “Let us not go back to normal because normal was not working”.
This issue of Urban Update looks at rebuilding post-COVID cities. We trust readers will find
it engaging.