The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in urban setups as most cases have been reported in cities where the majority of people live. Due to connectivity in cities, the disease spreads faster especially in densely populated areas.
In Kenya, as part of the containment measures, Nairobi and Mombasa counties which reported a huge chunk of the cases were locked down - with no movement in or out of the counties. The Nairobi estates of Eastleigh, Kawangware, Kibra and Old Town in Mombasa were labelled as hotspots due to their dense population.
The outbreak has revealed that pandemics are also an urban planning problem and should be factored in when developing cities. The outbreak of diseases has shaped cities for example, when the cholera and typhoid outbreaks became such major public health issues in the mid-19 century that they led to the construction of entire new sanitation systems - sewers to curb the spread.
The question of livability of cities especially during a pandemic comes into play.
A livable city is defined as one that supports high quality of life and well-being as well as a competitive economy and a sustainable environment. A city that caters for the needs of the people for live, work and play.
Vienna, the Austrian capital has for two years in a row been ranked as the most livable city. The city raked up top points in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s index which examines the quality of health care, education, infrastructure, stability, and culture when assessing living conditions of each city.
What is required for a city to have high livability standards is planning and development that is both integrated and long-term (30 years and beyond) and governance that is visionary and pragmatic.
By 2030, 60 percent of the world's population will be living in cities. Everyday 180,000 people are moving from rural areas to cities. In Kenya alone, the urban population, currently at 12 million, will more than triple to 40 million by 2050.
Kenya has undergone rapid urbanization as people migrate to the cities in search of economic opportunities. This will result in higher populations that planners now have to design the cities to provide amenities to meet the demand.
The Covid-19 pandemic has opened up the possibilities for alternative realities which can become guides to the future. A virus can’t change city planning all by itself, but it can be used as a chance to push changes whose time has come.
Density Planning
With the expected increase in population in mind, planners need to rethink density management as a key for long-term survival in a pandemic world as crowded housing increases contagion risks.
To slow down the migration to urban areas, the government can opt to decentralize services to other areas, so as to distribute the population. Cities should be willing to adapt as the plan that innovates systematically. Since the pandemic, many have been forced to work from home, so plans should consider the development of remote working.
For cities to be considered livable, urban planners must strive to generate a sense of belonging by having defined systems for walkability, public transport, public open space, housing affordability, employment, the food environment.
Non-motorized transport
With the pandemic, cities have closed off some streets for pedestrians, this has seen pollution levels have plummeted. In future cities, planning for pedestrians may even go a step further by building much wider pavements, according to the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health.
Governments should invest in local transport systems and broadband. In Kenya, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has already embarked on the process of developing an efficient non-motorized transport system in the city. Already the project has seen car parks along Kenyatta avenue and Wabera Street converted to pedestrian walkways and cyclist tracks.
NMS Transport, Roads and Public Works director Michael Ochieng explained that the project will improve walking spaces and encourage Nairobi residents to start walking or using bicycles.
Green Spaces
With the coronavirus, city designs should be geared towards making the outdoors safe and habitable spaces. To reduce overcrowding, some cities have taken to closing off parts of the city to traffic and opened them up for exercise. During a pandemic, it has been found that access to lots of green space is also important for the mental and physical health of city residents.
Nairobi has a number of green spaces including Uhuru Park, Karura forest and Ngong Hills where one can go and relax. Such places should be equipped with hand washing stations for proper sanitation.
Water and sanitation
Of concern is sanitation in informal areas. Water is already scarce to access due to connectivity issues. Perennial water shortages in many city estates could also hinder sanitation plans in the city. A report by the World Bank revealed that only 40 percent of Nairobi is connected to a sewerage system and as the city has grown, more poor urban dwellers have been pushed into low-income settlements, where there is little or no water or sanitation.
Regular washing of the hands and sanitation is a crucial part of the disease control measures and as such, hand washing centers in public spaces should be factored in when designing cities because tackling basic sanitation is the first step in building a healthier city.
Urban Agriculture
As millions of people lose their jobs due to the pandemic, they are increasingly become food insecure. Some countries have instituted stimulus cheques to the most affected, which is still not enough.
For resilience to be achieved, there should be an element of self-reliance for the affected people which could include producing their own food. The possibility of producing their own food is curtailed in urban areas by lack of space and availability of water. Planning for urban areas should now have an element of urban farming. With viable options for vertical farming where residents can grow vegetables to feed their families cheaply.
Digital Infrastructure
With social distancing, people have sought to keep in touch virtually. With the need to stay connected the digital currency has gained value. Meetings, concerts, and general conversations have moved online. So, moving forward city planners should account for broadband to enable residents to carry on with their lives in a relatively contactless era.
It may be too early to predict the long-term impacts of the pandemic on our cities, but one thing is clear, the current situation has exposes challenges and opportunities alike and there is a need for innovative planning for the challenges that lie ahead.
Comments