Although the survey collects data from a small sample, it looks like North American planners don't expect the pandemic to change much about the way cities are planned.
A recent survey indicates that planners don't intend to change much in their approach to urban planning, despite the various disruptions and influences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada surveyed 98 city planners (after disseminating the survey via the Canadian Institute of Planners Newsletter, the American Planning Association's Interact newsletter, and various planning-related social media groups) about the future of planning in mid-sized urban areas as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, publishing the results in the Planning Practice & Research journal (the study is currently available in full online) in December.
"Despite calls for greater creativity and innovation, there is essentially no difference between what planners viewed as more important to downtowns pre-and-post the pandemic," says Pierre Filion, an emeritus professor in the School of Planning at Waterloo, as quoted in an article by David Malone for Building Design + Construction that shared news of the new research.
Like the public and the media, the surveyed planners are certainly aware of the negative effects of the pandemic. Among the study respondents, 60% "indicated that the pandemic had a substantial negative effect on downtowns," according to the study. "The survey respondents perceived that the most severe effects of the pandemic were experienced by eating and drinking establishments, with substantial negative effects being reported by more than 75% of the respondents."
Yet, the survey did not reveal that planners expect to produce a commensurate response in the form of reform and innovation. From the discussion of the journal article:
The survey findings reveal a disconnect regarding planner’s perceptions of the drivers of downtown recovery after Covid. On the one hand, despite calls for greater creativity and innovation, there are essentially no differences between what planners viewed as important to downtowns pre-and-post the pandemic. This suggests that they are not ‘planning’ on fundamental changes to past practice even in the face of a changing reality, or a ‘new normal.’
The full Planning Practice & Research article can be found at the link below.
FULL STORY: Planning for Post-pandemic Downtowns of Mid-size Urban Areas
It's Time for Public Participation to Evolve With Transportation Planning
A manifesto by planning and transportation professionals committing to hearing all voices during public engagement processes.
Light at the End of the Tunnel Reveals the Work to Come
The latest edition of an ongoing compendia of articles trying to make sense of the deep uncertainties of the pandemic—and what it all means for the future of cities.
Haves and Have Nots: Planning and the Deep Divides of the Pandemic
The latest in a series of compendia gathering news and analysis about the effects of the COVID-19 on the built and natural environments—now and long into the future.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie