Urban form: Realising the value of green space: a planners’ perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In an attempt to curb health-related issues, planning and design interventions concerning the allocation of space in urban settings have recently gained traction Access to green space has been identified as a necessary component of healthy urban life as such spaces are proved to have positive impacts on the health and well-being of individuals and communities The COVID-19 virus has quickly become a top risk for public health worldwide, with quarantine and self-isolation as its main measures of prevention While it is necessary to prevent further infections and protect the population, the considerable impact of such measures on the health and well-being of people is undeniable Lockdown measures have limited the access of people to services and facilities outside their local areas, whilst lowering the intensity of their usual physical activity As a result, the green space within neighborhoods has become more important than ever in hosting people's outdoor activities Difficult and uncertain times as these show the importance of urban planning and design and the need for the inclusion of green space when designing neighborhoods