Physical distance and restrictions on the use of public settings have been important policy tools to prevent virus transmission and maintain public health. After all, the pandemic has had a tremendous impact on how people engage with one another, with long-term consequences for public and commercial urban planning.
The majority of people are following public health guidelines, as seen by the dramatic photos of deserted city streets, parks, beaches, public squares, and promenades. Cities famed for their vibrant street scene appeared ghostly as many stayed at home for the better good.
We at Solar Car Energy have recently been working with several of our partners to redesign and adapt to the safety criteria set by local authorities.
Commercial Spaces and Offices
Many designers have begun to design for a hybrid model as the remote workforce has grown in popularity. It means working part-time at the office and part-time from home.
Most noticeably, reconfigured offices would feature fewer desks. They will be properly spaced, with the building plan focusing on in-person company meeting areas.
Many employees would also shift to a work-from-home model with planned in-person meetings, as large corporations have already declared. The transition to team huddles offers better office space flexibility, lower expenses, and reduced virus exposure.
Connectivity
With a shared and communal work area, reliance on the internet and mobile computing will skyrocket, as will having enough sockets to recharge those devices as they are scattered across the workplace.
Wireless WAP coverage would be expanded, as would the bandwidth needed by multimedia and additional wifi users. In terms of illumination, a transition to more dispersed office lighting will be required for such locations.
Additionally, offices must guarantee that outlets are easily accessible. This is especially true when seating and tables are set apart and distant from walls or existing power strips.
Will the Impact on Public Spaces be Structural?
Stability can be disrupted by abrupt interruptions with the rapid transition. The magnitude, extent, and pace of the COVID-19 catastrophe give the impression that we are witnessing a significant transformation.
These times present opportunities to do previously thought-impossible tasks. In the middle of this transition, which truths from the past can we continue to hold onto and which must be abandoned?
It is unclear whether COVID-19’s effects on public areas will be as profound as they are in other facets of our lives. In the world of public space and design, a major question is how long these effects will be felt and how transformative they will be.
The uncertainty we face concerns not just what changes might occur, but also whether they will occur at all. It may require years to determine how the global epidemic has affected public space design and development.
