How will neighbourhoods look post-pandemic?

摘要

COVID-19 has impacted every facet of our lives - from hybrid working to the way we shop to the way we travel to the way we socialise; the list goes on - and on. And we have become almost entirely local - all of the time; we are walking more, cycling more, creating more waste and recycling, increasing pressures on broadband effectiveness - all just by being local.I have been reviewing some statistics for London; residents are walking more with the percentage of trips made all on foot rising by another 11% last year to just under 50% in 2020; cycling in some parts of the capital is up 250% from 2019; commercial waste versus household waste has reversed (we are creating more tonnes of waste and recycling at home than ever before); the use of public places and spaces for socialising and exercising has increased tenfold. The statistics across the rest of the UK are similar.This has led to increased pressures on councils - and specifically 'place' directorates having to completely re-think how they provide better and more efficient local services to their residents and communities right now, but also for the future. Which is challenging because nobody knows what further lifestyle shifts we will be making as we move into the next phases of this whole new world.So how are local authorities responding?