UDG Event Review

UDG Coalition Conversation: Urban Effects of Lockdown

Judith Ryser

Chaired by Christopher Martin of Urban Movement, UDG Chair Katja Stille introduced this webinar series intended to reflect on urban design’s contribution to a post COVID future. Professor Matthew Carmona (UCL) described a national survey of 2,500 households (7,200 people) undertaken by the Place Alliance during lockdown. It focused on the home, neighbourhood and sense of community. Those living in highdensity housing areas suffered most and wanted more social life outdoors. The study recommended higher space standards, more private open space and better environmental conditions in homes. High-density neighbourhoods need more green spaces and amenities within walking distance. The question was how to adapt dense city spaces to these aspirations.

Frances Wright and Neil Murphy (TOWN) discussed two case studies on co-housing and co-living under the ‘stay-at-home’ restrictions. Helpful in dealing with the restrictions were: established relationships and communication channels; a shared vision and values; ownership control over decision-making; and adaptable spaces and funds. Both schemes had a range of shared spaces, guest rooms, utilities and communal gardens, but they also had private balconies and gardens. Car-free streets facilitated children’s play, and outside terraces were converted into live-work spaces. Intergenerational mixing benefited from mutual assistance, but the young lacked meeting spaces, so that communal areas like stairs made social distancing difficult for the most vulnerable.

Rachel Aldred (University of Westminster) focused on low-traffic neighbourhoods and their impact on healthier streets. Those least likely to use cars – the elderly, the disabled and children – are most adversely affected by them. As nine out of ten Londoners live in residential streets, local through-traffic should be removed to improve them. Waltham Forest in London was cited as an example of these Dutch-type adjustments.

Karen Wetherall (University of Glasgow) presented a longitudinal analysis of adult mental health and well-being during the three COVID-19 lockdowns, with a focus on suicidal behaviour. A national survey dealt with symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, mental well-being and suicidal thoughts. Anxiety, depression and loneliness declined, while suicidal thoughts increased, with the highest rate among women, those in the lowest socio-economic groups, with pre-existing mental health issues and the young, which was of particular concern. The question was raised as to what extent well-being and mental health depend on daily life (living, working, learning, etc.), and access to nature being curtailed by restrictions.

Finally, Professor Zongbo Shi (University of Birmingham) discussed the abrupt but smaller than expected changes in surface air quality in cities, attributable to the lockdowns. During the lockdown, traffic dropped initially, but then increased to almost pre-COVID-19 levels. Cycling increased significantly at first, but then dropped back, while bus journeys after an initial steep drop, recovered to half of previous levels. Unfortunately, no data was presented on pedestrian movements, which are regrettably often left out in multimodal traffic analysis. The research queried the improvement of air quality due to these changes, attributing it to fluctuations in the weather. This shows the need for a coordinated effort to reduce all key air pollutants.

Judith Ryser, researcher, journalist, writer and urban affairs consultant to Fundacion Metropoli, Madrid

URBAN DESIGN 158 Spring 2021 Publication Urban Design Group

As featured in URBAN DESIGN 158 Spring 2021

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Introduction

Katja Stille  Chair of UDG | Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design

Convened and chaired by

Christopher Martin  Treasurer of UDG | Urban Movement 

Speakers

Matthew Carmona  Place Alliance
HOME COMFORTS DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

Frances Wright  Head of Community Partnering + Neil Murphy  Director at TOWN
CO-LIVING + HOUSING

Rachel Aldred  University of Westminster
TRANSPORT + LOW-TRAFFIC NEIGHBOURHOODS

Karen Wetherall  University of Glasgow
MENTAL HEALTH + WELLBEING

Prof Zongbo Shi  University of Birmingham, Professor of Atmospheric Biogeochemistry
AIR QUALITY

See event page for more info and recording of presentations

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