Post-Pandemic Urban Robustness and Public Health in congested cities

M. Elfakharany, Mohamed; M. Naguib, Ingy; M. Abdelhamid, Mona

doi:10.21608/erj.2022.242567

Post-Pandemic Urban Robustness and Public Health in congested cities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Architecture, Pharos University in Alexandria, Canal ElMahmoudia Street, P.O. Box 37, Sidi Gaber, 21311 Alexandria, Egypt

² Department of Architecture, Pharos University in Alexandria, Canal ElMahmoudia Street, P.O. Box 37, Sidi Gaber, 21311 Alexandria, Egyp

10.21608/erj.2022.242567

Abstract

Purpose: Public health crises have been generated globally due to the fast spread of COVID-19 virus. However, the pandemic has focuses mostly on disease control with a little attention for trend in urban planning aiming to generate new model for our urban health. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to clarify threats facing unplanned green urban spaces in congested cities which had negative impact on human physical and mental health especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is always difficult to find proper solutions to insert more green urban spaces in overcrowded cities because of the land limitations. Thus, the paper explores several examples of congested cities that have succeeded in designing a green ribbon within their urban fabric to create healthier environment. It also investigates the challenges facing the application of urban robustness to support public health. Design/methodology/approach: This paper analyzes the greenway park design in six different examples around the world. A comparative analysis between these examples of linear parks has shown the relationship between the width and the location of the green way park from the street level. The width was measured from google earth. Findings: The paper presented an empirical study covering different examples of reshaped urban spaces to adapt with population growth and consequent urbanisation combined with competing demands for land use in overcrowded cities. It suggests that urban robustness is essential for the sustainability of urban development in congested cities. It also asserts that linear green park and green ribbon can became major contributor for human health regeneration in congested city with empty land limitation. Research limitations/implications: This paper highlights major threats facing limitation of green urban spaces in overcrowded cities. However, it lacks attention from local authorities and public health teams for the importance of increasing provision of and equitable access to green urban spaces, as well as, growing the wider network of green infrastructure, particularly through the planning system in overcrowded cities. Practical implications: It suggests that green ribbon and urban robustness strategies would help in reshaping the urban space in congested cities to adapted changes of human perception for open spaces. These strategies can help decision makers to develop more sustainable approaches in managing green urban to support general public health.

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