How the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the lack of accessible public spaces in Tehran
Parnian Kordshakeri, Ehsan Fazeli
Abstract
This commentary briefly explores the ongoing development trends of Tehran, Iran, that have caused high population density, centralised public spaces, car-oriented streets, and smaller houses, and explains the amplifying effect of these trends on the living situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that in the absence of adequate, accessible, and usable public spaces for all – including streets and semi-private or semi-public spaces of residential areas – the city becomes less resilient against outbreaks. Post-epidemic, the city should reclaim the flexibility, diversity, and accessibility of public spaces and revise the legislative and financial tools of municipalities for creating a compact city.
Topics & Concepts
LegislaturePandemicFlexibility (engineering)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Public spaceUSableDiversity (politics)Population2019-20 coronavirus outbreakGeographyEconomic growthPolitical scienceBusinessOutbreakSociologyEngineeringArchitectural engineeringMedicineEconomicsComputer scienceDiseaseLawInfectious disease (medical specialty)DemographyVirologyPathologyArchaeologyManagementWorld Wide WebImpact of Light on Environment and HealthCOVID-19 impact on air quality