Urban acupuncture theory for reclaiming urban spaces during the COVID-19 lockdown in New Cairo City

Abstract

After the COVID-19 pandemic, human thoughts have changed in all fields worldwide. People started discovering different activities and realizing the essential role of urban spaces. Human needs and behavior changed through interaction with urban spaces. This article examines the importance of urban spaces in pandemics and how minor interventions can significantly impact urban spaces. We analyzed the city’s different zones in New Cairo City, Egypt. This research determined the application of urban acupuncture theory to the residence of a non-expert and listed the key focus areas for a practical acupuncture response. This study analyses the daily human uses of urban spaces and the role of pandemics that changed the functions of these urban spaces, observing and designing a survey evaluating urban spaces’ efficiency before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. The research results came out with the actual role of urban spaces as unfunctional, that concludes a fast and quick intervention after the reclaiming urban acupuncture principles that influential in transforming urban areas into liveable places. The results present a spatial visual analysis highlighting the challenges and benefits of urban acupuncture. The findings of our study can assist desicion-makers in evaluating samll nterventions that can create liveable places for all.