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?

The spread of COVID-19 has made poorly designed urban spaces feel more like health hazards than simply eyesores. To prevent future crises, urban planners are turning to VR tech such as digital 'twins' and visual data mapping, showing how virtual replicas can shape cities into future-proof spaces.

The pandemic has transformed people’s needs and expectations of social spaces. The city of Oakland, in California, has launched Slow Streets, which reduces traffic to enable physically distanced activities and exercise. Can other cities use this moment to create safer, greener landscapes?

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.