The critical intersection between urban design principles and public health is often forgotten; however, the pressures of Covid-19 have brought to light the weakness and strengths between the two across the world.
"Putting human and environmental health back into the core of the urban and territorial planning process and principles will enable the full potential of our cities and territories to deliver healthier and resilient environments,” said Laura Petrella, UN-Habitat Chief of Planning, Finance, and Economy.
Diseases shape cities. The most significant developments in the study of urban planning have come from diseases.
In the mid-19th century, the cholera outbreak led to the development of sanitation systems and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to determine the source and predict its spread by mapping.
History has shown that it is essential to have public health officials work alongside urban planners for effective pandemic management and shape our future.
There is a common belief that density always equates to high-risk areas. The African continent is one of the fastest urbanising regions, stated by the World Bank, 40% of its population living in urban areas.
While in Rwanda, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the rate of urbanisation is projected to increase to 38% by 2024 from 18% today to support economic growth.
However, urban planners, worldwide like Michele Acuto, a professor of global urban politics in the School of Design at the University of Melbourne, explains that it is more about the design and management of that density.
The challenges Covid-19 has highlighted are seen in city transportation systems, housing, sanitation, and public services, but adaptations for covid-19 vary between cities.
Rwanda is praised for its proactive and quick response with testing systems, lockdown enforcement, contact tracing, communication, and educating the public.
Common changes from Western cities are car-free zones for outdoor activities (also found in Rwanda), widening sidewalks, and bike lanes.
South Korea, the home of 51million people, is an excellent example of high-density cities successfully managing the outbreak by app-based trackers, improved testing facilities distribution and hospital infection prevention, and temporary social-distancing based crowd management.
Rwanda’s impressive progress in managing the pandemic shows alignment and implementation of the six key responses stated by UNECA (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,2020).
1. Apply local communication and community engagement strategies.
2. Support SMEs and the informal economy.
3. Deepen decentralized responses to COVID-19 through strengthening local government capacities.
4. Target informal settlements through data-driven contextualized measures.
5. Establish mechanisms to promote rapid access to housing and prevent forced eviction.
6. Integrate urban planning and management as key priorities for recovery and rebuilding strategies toward long-term resilience.
A culture that should continue to be promoted in Rwanda uses open spaces, promoting outdoor activities that are singular, not dependent on restaurants/bars, etc., that are free and simultaneously practice socializing while increasing health benefits.
The world continues to learn more about Covid-19; planners are exploring the depth of urban planning in pandemic preparedness, and Rwanda is at the forefront of this process.
In conclusion, cities can be seen as an organism, and urban planning provides its character, well-being, and the ability to contain and manage future pandemics and other disasters.
The writer is a 4th year student of Urban and Regional Planning University of Saskatchewan
The views expressed in this article are of the author.