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April 27, 2020
Reconnecting after coronavirus – 4 key ways cities can counter anxiety and loneliness
It’s important to remedy negative emotional climates with strategies to reconnect communities, allay fears and better prepare us for any future shutdowns.
COVID-19 has forced us into social distancing, isolation and quarantine. These conditions are likely fostering widespread in our cities. However, they鈥檝e also made the need for socially connected, vibrant public spaces obvious to all.
We offer four strategies for rebuilding social connectivity and emotional well-being in our cities, once restrictions are lifted.
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Changing the emotional climate
Enforced distancing measures are probably changing not just our work, travel and family routines, but how we interact with others and how we feel about ourselves and our communities.
Loneliness is and is likely on the rise. There is no guarantee the pandemic-driven shift towards will compensate for the lost emotional closeness of in-person contact.
As loneliness becomes more common, it creates a change in what sociologists refer to as 鈥溾�� 鈥� the collective feelings experienced and shared by most people within a given city or society. A 鈥渕ass emotional event鈥� like COVID-19 can dramatically alter the emotional climate. It鈥檚 so disruptive that it leads to a permanent change in everyday emotional states, expressions and social interactions.
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COVID-19 has strong potential to make us not only lonelier, but more distrustful, fearful, anxious and angry. The emerging evidence of this includes: ; abuse and stigma of 鈥渞isky鈥� carers such as ; and potential increases in and .
It has even been we are collectively processing and moving through the stages of mass grief.
It鈥檚 important to remedy negative emotional climates with strategies to reconnect communities, allay fears and better prepare us for any . We can even aim to promote positive emotional climates and 鈥溾��.
4 ways to build better communities
COVID-19 is an opportunity to build on what we know and to learn from this situation. It鈥檚 possible to promote social and emotional well-being. We suggest four key approaches for building better communities that do this.
1) Design walkable, social, flexible public spaces
Recent work-from-home practices have reduced car traffic by up to . However, they have also prompted and a craving for exercise and social contact.
Cities and suburbs should be redesigned to support physical and social activity and mental health. We need a greater emphasis on . There should also be renewed focus on building walkable town centres and , rather than continuing with car-dependent suburban sprawl.
Recent examples of innovative and flexible use of space by business are inspiring. Whether cafes become corner stores, , parks become gyms, or , flexible use of space should become commonplace.
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2) Integrate public and online spaces
Our new can help us develop a better for bringing people together.
Video conferencing is flexible and can enable long-distance connection and 鈥渨ork from home鈥� hubs. However, social media platforms, such as Facebook, Meetup, WhatsApp or art-based apps like , are useful for organising physical meetings too. These can can help with community volunteering, socialising, or simply sharing .
A better physical-digital interface could help new jobs flourish in 鈥渋nteractive鈥� creative industries that virtually connect isolated individuals. New art spaces could be established, putting connective digital infrastructure, such as audio-visual platforms, within physical spaces to help face-to-face and virtual audiences interact.
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3) Provide quality housing
COVID-19 has exposed the vast variability in the quality of Australian housing. Many homes lack the space to accommodate work, study, relaxation, exercise and socialising, or spaces where people can seek . Housing also varies in its access to fresh air, light, temperature control and .
Designing future homes with these needs and features in mind should be a priority.
4) Build with different needs and stigma in mind
The impacts of COVID-19 will not be felt equally. Post-COVID-19 cities should take this into account.
COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of people . It has also greatly increased the risk of loneliness for the . This applies particularly to older Australians with a mobility impairment.
The pandemic has also highlighted the safety risks of centralised living arrangements .
We must prioritise the creation of housing that reduces isolation and promotes social connection.
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Recent positive public conversations on and within the on previously stigmatised emotions like loneliness and anxiety will help keep these concerns on the public agenda.
, Associate Professor of Sociology, ; , Senior Lecturer in Sociology, ; , Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, , and , Senior Lecturer, School of Social Science,
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