How coronavirus could change our cities forever. Or not.

By Christine Chubb

Posted April 20, 2020 5:06 am.

This article is more than 5 years old.

In today’s Big Story podcast, open-concept floor plans. Roads designed for peak traffic at peak times on week days. Apartments built for sleeping and eating but not extended isolation. Sidewalks built for…closeness. This pandemic has cast a spotlight on the nature of how we design our homes, offices and cities. It’s left huge swaths of space empty, and crammed some people into tiny boxes.

There are design and planning lessons we can learn from what we’re seeing now that could impact the way we live forever—but only if we want them to. What does a city look like after it’s been changed by a year of social distancing? And which of those changes will become permanent?

GUEST: Toon Dreessen, president of Architects DCA; former president of Ontario Association of Architects

You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify

You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Carney set to meet with Trump at White House amid tariff turmoil today

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Mark Carney will have to navigate a delicate balance during his first in-person meeting with Donald Trump today, following months of the U.S. president targeting Canada with...

41m ago

Smith says Alberta separation referendum possible if enough citizens want it

Premier Danielle Smith says she will address Albertans Monday on a "path forward with the federal government" after a meeting with her caucus.

11h ago

Emergency alert system test coming Wednesday

Canadians are being advised that the Alert Ready system -- Canada's National Public Alerting System -- will be tested on Wednesday. From coast to coast, with the exception of Quebec, Alert Ready will...

12h ago

Defence to continue cross-examining complainant today in hockey players' trial

Defence lawyers are expected to continue cross-examining the complainant today in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team. The woman began testifying last...

3h ago

Top Stories

Carney set to meet with Trump at White House amid tariff turmoil today

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Mark Carney will have to navigate a delicate balance during his first in-person meeting with Donald Trump today, following months of the U.S. president targeting Canada with...

41m ago

Smith says Alberta separation referendum possible if enough citizens want it

Premier Danielle Smith says she will address Albertans Monday on a "path forward with the federal government" after a meeting with her caucus.

11h ago

Emergency alert system test coming Wednesday

Canadians are being advised that the Alert Ready system -- Canada's National Public Alerting System -- will be tested on Wednesday. From coast to coast, with the exception of Quebec, Alert Ready will...

12h ago

Defence to continue cross-examining complainant today in hockey players' trial

Defence lawyers are expected to continue cross-examining the complainant today in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team. The woman began testifying last...

3h ago

Most Watched Today

3:27

Female genital mutilation being performed in Canada: Report

New report reveals female genital mutilation being performed in Canada. Hiba Kamal-Choufi has the story.

14h ago

2:40

Albertans could vote on separation in 2026: premier

Premier Danielle Smith says she still wants to stay in Canada but will allow a separation referendum in 2026 if that’s what Albertans want. As Sean Amato reports, she also plans to chair a new travelling panel.

15h ago

2:32

Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market opens on Sunday for the first time in 40 years

Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market opens on Sunday for first time in 40 years. As Hiba Kamal-Choufi reports, vendors hope the change will have positive impact on businesses.

2:57

Edmonton rally for Alberta Independence met with opposition from Indigenous community

Hundreds gathered at the Alberta Legislature Saturday to support the push for a referendum for Alberta to separate from Canada. The rally was met with a counter-protest from some First Nations communities, who say they want to remain part of Canada. Bianca Millions reports.

2:40

Alberta First Nations leaders call out province over Bill 54

A group of First Nation leaders in Alberta are calling out Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over recently introduced Bill 54 -- which would lower the threshold for referendums -- meaning albertans could be voting on separation.