The Future of cities after COVID-19

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Payam Mahasti spoke as part of World Urbanism Day, which falls on 8th November this year, and stated that the Covid-19 epidemic experienced all over the world went down in history as an important event in terms of urbanism history.

Pointing out that the epidemic changed social lifestyles in the context of urbanism, Mahasti said, “With the addition of economic inequalities and pollutants to this situation, structural transformations in cities are inevitable.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahasti said that in the last century many cities were developed in line with the ideas born from the modernism movement, but today's global community needs a different understanding to develop.

Stating that this understanding should be less intense, less polluting, less traffic-generating and more environmentally friendly, Mahasti said, “This image of the future is still taking shape, but adaptation will not be easy and cheap”.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahasti stated that the idea of ​​the "15-Minute City" is a human-friendly, 'completed' and connected neighborhoods that everyone can meet most, if not all, with a short walk or bike ride, and that this idea should be developed.

Reminding that this new image proposed for cities is beautiful but requires a lot of work and investment, Mahasti said that smart cities can also be considered in this context.

Stating that smart cities are the electronic or digitalized form of urban life in all respects, Mahasti said, “Transportation systems, power plants, water distribution networks, waste management, crime detection-prevention, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals and all other community services are all examples”.