The COVID-19 pandemic has upheaved societies around the world – perhaps permanently. There’s an acknowledgement that everyday life will have to change post-lockdown to avoid further outbreaks, but could this transition also present a chance to usher in a fairer, greener, and less lonely future?

As countries come out of lockdown, public space is getting a rethink in light of anxieties around social distancing. In Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, public spaces are being transformed into open-air cafes and restaurants as indoor restrictions remain, keeping businesses alive and morale high.

A reduction in everyday travel due to COVID-19 has resulted in a notable drop in carbon emissions, and it’s making people rethink how they get around. In Milan, plans are in place to expand walkways and create bike lanes to reduce pollution and car use, setting an example for other cities to follow.

With living costs and urban loneliness on the up, people are embracing co-living as they shift away from homeownership and toward viewing living as a service. Start-up Venn simplifies things by managing local services and events to drive community-led urban regeneration.