An equitable pandemic response and recovery will shape the next chapter of urban development and world peace

Crises amplify what we already know and impel us to act. The COVID-19 pandemic is a catalyst for a new urban future. Urban life and urban systems have been forced to transform. We have new protocols in public health, city services, education, work that have unequally burdened the livelihoods and wellbeing of millions that live on the margins. The vulnerability and resilience of our urban systems have exposed some of the deep structural inequalities in our society and highlighted the challenges inherent in battling global emergencies in local environments. 

One of the lasting consequences of the pandemic will be a clearer understanding of the role that increasing urbanization trends play in exacerbating a range of issues that span public health, communications, accessibility, and human rights. In many cases, the sweeping containment measures designed to keep people safe have resulted in worsening the mental and physical wellbeing of millions of citizens around the world. 

City leaders face immense pressure to recover quickly and stave off an impending economic downturn that the health crisis and poor policies have caused. An effective response by national and local governments is contingent on cross-agency coordination at the local level. A coordinated utilization of cities’ entire social, digital, and physical infrastructure allows urban planners, development practitioners, the tech industry, and scientists to contribute to emerging pain points. Digital and physical accessibility form part of these local and national recovery plans.

Well-planned cities leverage new technologies and principles of universal design to improve the social and economic outcomes of all individuals dramatically. Over 40 urban experts who spoke at the Cities for All “Learning Series on Equity and Access in Times of Pandemics” addressed that the acceleration of the digital transformation already occurring in organizations and cities around the world will be a lasting impact of the pandemic. 

This point was particularly well presented by James Thurston, Vice President for Global Strategy and Development, G3ict, “The digital transformation of the world is happening. During this pandemic, and coming out of it, we are hearing from government partners at all levels from around the world that they are already expecting to be relying more on using technology in the future, which is significant. We are seeing governments implementing and developing strategies to go even more digital. This is exciting, much like new explorations. But what we are really hearing from governments is this is a transformation that is going to pick up speed coming out of this pandemic.”

City leaders need to rapidly implement new standards for equity, privacy, and security while deploying technologies based on human rights, equity, and accessibility. Evidence-based urban policy should be based on reliable disaggregated datasets that consider disability, aging, and the diversity of human experiences within cities. There are many success stories in this regard, with cities developing a holistic pandemic response that considers all citizens in their recovery. A notable example of this is Abu Dhabi’s response, which has implemented a comprehensive plan ensuring essential community services have remained available throughout the pandemic, especially for the people who most need them. 

Likewise, in Singapore and Barcelona, the measures implemented included ensuring all public and private acute medical facilities have remained open. Residential and home-based community care services such as nursing homes, psychiatric rehabilitation homes, and palliative care, as well as meal delivery services, continued to function. Educational services spanning both mainstream and special schools have been provided via Full Home-Based Learning (HBL) during periods of full or partial lockdowns. Many cities like San Francisco and New York also developed new subsidies for transport services and coordinated response and mobility plans that include safe access to trains, buses, taxis, bicycles, and private service cars. 

In addition to ensuring the ongoing provision of essential services, financial assistance services in cities like Sao Paolo, Chicago, and Los Angeles have been provided across a range of areas, including relief from government fees and loans and financial help for communities and those in need. Workforce development services have also been offered in the form of strategic services for businesses and programs to help develop the skills of workers of all ages, genders, and abilities to improve their career prospects. 

It is precisely this type of multi-faceted, and in some cases, coordinated policy that is most effective. By taking these kinds of approaches, city leaders can recover and redirect urban systems towards a more equitable future. 

Urbanization will only intensify, and cities will continue to thrive, but only when and only if they provide transformational change opportunities for those who need them most. By improving social infrastructure, mobility, and access to services, we can improve the livelihoods of all. Consider joining our Cities for All Community and learn more on how to build back better with the Cities4All learning modules.