Covid-19 (Sub)Urbanisms

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a global health crisis. The spatial impacts of the pandemic have been uneven at the global, national, state, and metropolitan scales. Metropolitan regions have been particularly affected in terms of having relatively high numbers of Covid-19 cases on account of their large populations. Although population density is a driving factor in the spread of the Covid-19 virus, it is by no means the only factor. We outline a descriptive analysis of the geographies of Covid-19 and the role of density in order to provide insights on the suburban-ness of the virus. Relatedly, we also explore the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on suburban mobilities (i.e., residential moves and visitors to retail/recreation spaces) within metropolitan regions. New York, London, and Melbourne serve as illustrative examples to highlight what has happened to CBDs and suburban areas during the Covid-19 pandemic. The data, to data, points to a re-ordering of the spatial structure of the city characterised by a complex array of dreamscapes and nightmares. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Paul J. Maginn and Katrin B. Anacker;individual chapters, the contributors.