Cities have always been complex dynamic systems, adapted to and moulded by events, demands, and crises (Angel et al., 2016). The nexus between pandemics and urban morphology has historically been critical in reshaping the societal dynamics of our cities. With their dense populations and intricate networks, cities have been both the epicentres and victims of outbreaks, such as the Bubonic Plague or the Spanish Flu, where urban settings have often amplified the spread.
Perversely, viruses seem to turn many good things we see in cities into problems! We want business and international tourism. We want crowded streets, public spaces, festivals, theatres, bars, and restaurants. We want public transport filled with people. We want close-knit, socially connected communities where people see friends and family at the time. All the things that make cities vibrant and prosperous involve human connections, which precisely facilitate the spread of viruses.
COVID-19 brought this symbiotic relationship to the forefront, pushing the boundaries of our understanding and revealing gaps in urban planning and municipal engineering, but it also provided a unique opportunity by offering a lens by which to re-evaluate, rethink, redesign and adapt our cities (Seto et al., 2017). The question was no longer just about efficient urban planning, but about resilient, sustainable and health-centric urban planning.
This themed issue aims to bring together some of the most insightful works in this domain, shedding light on the key role municipal engineering played during the pandemic. Drawing from diverse geographical contexts and multifaceted research methodologies, the studies included here attempt to chart the labyrinthine urban landscape of the pandemic era and pave the way for informed decision-making for future urban challenges.
In the inaugural contribution, Monteiro et al. (2023) offer a comprehensive review of the intricate relationship between urban layout, accessibility, mobility, and the spread of viral contagions. It ambitiously bifurcates its exploration into spatial and transport planning, reflecting upon environmental and sustainability ramifications. The synthesis presented offers a framework to understand the present urban adjustments and guide future designs for pandemic resilience.
Delving deeper into mobility, the subsequent study by Jang et al. (2023) unravels the shifts in public transportation usage amidst the pandemic. By intricately mapping transportation demand, revitalisation of commercial spaces, living populations, and socio-economic indicators, the research brings forth a nuanced understanding of disease vectors and their relationship to urban mobility patterns.
Reiterating the critical role of preventive measures in densely populated urban settings, the third paper (Choi et al., 2023) leverages artificial intelligence to study mask-wearing compliance in public transportation. By predicting infection probabilities based on mask-wearing rates, the study highlights a potent blend of technology and urban health surveillance, emphasising the importance of compliance in disease prevention.
As we journey further, Ku et al. (2023) present a compelling exploration of subway traffic behaviour during the pandemic in Seoul, bringing to light the differing responses of senior and non-senior passengers. These demographic intricacies in mobility patterns present profound implications for future urban transportation designs, emphasising inclusivity and safety.
Lastly, a pivot to a broader exploration of sustainable mobility is introduced. Public bicycle-sharing systems, which have seen global adoption, face challenges and barriers, especially during the pandemic. The final study in this issue (Patel et al., 2023), rooted in the Indian urban context, ranks these barriers and potential solutions, offering a roadmap for bolstering this eco-friendly mode of transport in cities worldwide.
Municipal Engineer has a forthcoming themed issue regarding ‘Towards sustainable transport at the municipal level’ (abstracts due 25th September). Those interested in exploring this topic should contact the Journal Editor, Alessandra Morelli, at amorelli@emerald.com. Municipal Engineer publishes its most recent articles Ahead of Print on its Virtual Library homepage, and relevant papers can be identified through a basic ICE Virtual Library search.
