Temporary Urbanisms as Policy Alternatives to Enhance Health and Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic City

Curr Environ Health Rep. 2021 Jun;8(2):167-176. doi: 10.1007/s40572-021-00314-8. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Abstract

Purpose of review: While there has been extensive discussion on the various forms of temporary uses in urban settings, little is known on the ways in which temporary and health urbanisms connect. Now, a turning point has been reached regarding the interactions between health and the built environment and the contributions made by urban planning and other built environment disciplines. In the context of the post-pandemic city, there is a need to develop a health-led temporary urbanism agenda than can be implemented in various settings both in the Global South and North.

Recent findings: Health-led temporary urbanism requires a reinterrogation of current models of urban development including designing multifunctional spaces in urban environments that provide sites for temporary urbanism-related activities. A healthy city is an adaptable city and one that provides opportunities for citizen-led interventions intended to enhance well-being by blending the temporary with the permanent and the planned with the improvised. Health-led temporary urbanism contributes to the call for more trans- and inter-disciplinary discussions allowing to more thoroughly link urban planning and development with health.

Keywords: Adaptability; Built environment; Health; Health-led temporary urbanism; Post-pandemic city; Temporary urbanism; Temporary uses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Built Environment
  • Cities
  • City Planning*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Policy