Coronavirus and Urbanisation: Do Pandemics Are Anti-Urban?

TLDR: In this paper, the authors present a literature review on the relationship between cities and pandemics, and argue that this crisis has potentially three lasting effects on urban economy, urban planning and design.

Abstract: Cities and urban thinking might be challenged by the present reality of quarantine, social distancing, and global disconnection. Will, all of these, drive a change in the way we plan and manage cities? This study seeks to do a literature review on the relationship between cities and pandemics. I argue that this crisis has potentially three lasting effects on urban economy, urban planning and design. First, importance's of urban economics during the crisis. Second, it can question some of the essential assumptions of our municipal system and imaginary, and call upon a debate on principles of both design and organisation of cities. Third, it can cause a severe reform of often tokenistic smart city models towards a more substantial digital skeleton for towns.