Measuring and improving public space resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic: Chongqing-China as a case study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of public spaces. Accessing public spaces during the pandemic improves physical health, reduces feelings of loneliness, and lessens depression. However, not all public spaces can provide an effective response during the pandemic. The public spaces’ ability to respond to the pandemic varies depending on their resilience level, which refers to the capability of those spaces to adapt to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain functionality to meet users’ needs during this crisis. By investigating the response of existing public spaces to the COVID-19 pandemic and identifying and examining the criteria of pandemic resilience, this study aims to explore and improve public spaces’ capability to respond effectively during the pandemic. One hundred and sixty nine public spaces in three regions in Chongqing City in China are studied. Four main criteria involving 9 sub-criteria of pandemic resilience that can be integrated into public spaces’ planning and design are studied. Three questionnaire surveys are used in this study to examine how public spaces adapt to the pandemic and evaluate the pandemic resilience criteria. The questionnaire data is analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The pandemic resilience criteria are assessed and analyzed using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The study utilized the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to assign weights to the criteria of pandemic resilience. Weighted overlay analysis (WOA) is applied to assess the pandemic resilience level in public spaces. Results indicate various possibilities for pandemic resilience depending on the characteristics of the area. However, these resilience levels are inadequate to respond effectively to the pandemic, resulting in diminished utilization of public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic across all studied regions compared to the periods preceding the pandemic and after the complete reopening. This study presents a remarkable source for strengthening the resilience of cities against pandemic emergencies.