Designing density better for cities and nature
The way urban density can benefit not only cities, but also natural ecosystems, is emerging as an important factor to reduce the likelihood of future pandemics, wrote Prof. Stephen Cairns.
High density does not necesarily correlate with high COVID-19 infection rates, says Prof. Stephen Cairns, director of Future Cities Lab Global (Singapore hub). As more information about Covid-19 became available, the perceived link between disease transmission and population density became less credible.
The current evidence suggests that population density tells us little about how cities interact with the pandemic. Factors such as healthcare access, the ability to work from home, grassroots collective action and urban policies are equally important factors.
Urban designers, planners and policymakers are thus presented with two related challenges. The first is to intensify efforts to widen and maximise the benefits of urban density for residents, such as in the areas of healthcare, the economy and the living environment. The second challenge involves considering the benefits that urban density can deliver to regions surrounding cities. If cities integrate carbon-neutral policies and circular economy principles, the benefits of urban density could extend to regions far beyond them.
In an opinion article, Prof. Cairns discusses the way in which urban density can benefit not only cities, but also natural ecosystems, is emerging as an especially important factor to reduce the likelihood of future pandemics.
The article "Designing density better for cities and nature" was published in external pageThe Business Times and external pageUrban Solutions magazine published by the Centre for Liveable Cities.