WATERLOO, ONT鈥擜 survey of urban planners conducted by the University of Waterloo has found they are not anticipating major differences in the way the downtowns of mid-sized cities are planned and developed post-pandemic.
The planners were asked to identify the attributes that contributed to the success of downtowns prior to the pandemic as well as the attributes that would facilitate their post-pandemic recovery.聽
The results indicated planners are not preparing for any fundamental changes to past practices even in the face of changing reality, stated a recent release.
鈥淒espite calls for greater creativity and innovation, there is essentially no difference between what planners viewed as important to downtowns pre- and post the pandemic,鈥 said Pierre Filion, an emeritus professor in the School of Planning at Waterloo, in a statement. 鈥淭here will not be any radical transformation of post-pandemic downtowns from the pre-pandemic downtowns of the early 21st century that would change the basic forms and functions.鈥
Priorities will be increased use of outdoor and green spaces; more mixed-use development, particularly in residential areas; and transportation models friendly to walking and biking.
鈥淒owntowns are likely to remain distinctive places within the cities, characterized by a mix of higher-density land uses, including specialized retail, office employment and housing,鈥 Filion said. 鈥淭here will not be any radical transformation of post-pandemic downtowns from the pre-pandemic downtowns of the early 21st century that would change the basic forms and functions.鈥
The study identified government as an obstacle to the successful revitalization of mid-sized downtowns. However, many of the proposed recovery policies require government intervention, especially in public-private partnerships and collaborations where there is聽no single organizational structure that is appropriate.
The study,聽聽was recently published in the journal of Planning Practice & Research.聽
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