• Can a Pandemic Change Environmental Consciousness and Responsibility?

    Sofoklis Grigoriadis*1, Konstantinos Serraos 2

    National Technical University of Athens, School of Architecture, Urban Planning Research Lab, 106 82, Athens, Greece
    1. *Corresponding author: E-mail: sofgrh@mail.ntua.gr, Cel 69455854142.
    2. E-mail: urbanplanresearchlab@arch.ntua.gr, Tel +30 2107721125, Fax: +30 2107723819

    Abstract:

    The urban transport system, as an essential element of the structure of a city, meets the transportation needs for a variety of activities of everyday life. Its operation significantly burdens the environment, contributing to the phenomenon of climate change. In recent years, efforts have been made to shift in mild forms of transportation, such

    as trekking, cycling and the use of public transport.

    With the advent of Covid 19 and its rapid spread across the globe, counteraction mechanisms have been developed from all countries to confront with the pandemic. Significant restrictions and prohibitions were imposed on daily movements of the population, such as strict distancing between individuals, changes in the working environment, in education, transactions, supply of goods, products and services. Actions that significantly reduce the movements result in the reduction of environmental pollution, noise pollution and in the increase of energy saving.

    As a result, since the first days of the lockdown there has been the dramatic reduction of the traffic. At the same time, the previously busy public transport is almost empty now, as well as traffic congestion no longer exists. The quality of the urban space has been improved and an opportunity is given for walking with comfort and safety in the empty streets of the city, which took a more humane form.

    The purpose of this paper is to present the situation in cities, in terms of mobility, before and after the Covid 19 pandemic and to propose measures that will contribute to the transition into more humane, clean and ‘smart’ cities in the context of sustainability.

    Key words: Covid 19, pandemic, sustainability, urban sustainable mobility.

    Pages: 15 – 27 | Full PDF Paper