People, Place and Community: belonging in unprecedented times

Covid-19 has undoubtedly thrown a spotlight on the power of social and neighbourhood networks. It has changed how people experience both private and public places and, for some, has meant spending a lot more time locally than usual.

Throughout the pandemic community life has flourished: neighbours are checking in on each other more than before, and are now more likely to do food shopping or other chores for each other. It seems that Covid-19 has triggered an increased appetite for connection, a sense of belonging, and a desire for mutual trust amongst neighbours. Beyond just surviving the pandemic, the benefits of community are clear: social connection can help you live a longer, happier life. By contrast, loneliness and isolation – which can be experienced by Londoners of all ages – has a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing. As Covid-19 continues to shape the way we live and work in the city, inclusion, health and wellbeing are (finally) receiving greater recognition.

Future of London’s 2020 project investigated the role that both people and place play in creating community, and how London’s built environment sector can help forge and maintain a sense of belonging in both new developments and within existing neighbourhoods.

SUPPORTED BY

Related Content

Building community in unprecedented times

How can the built environment create community connections? Practical reflections from the online launch or our People, Place and Community report

People, Place and Community report

Press Release: New report reveals how home and neighbourhood design influences community recovery from Covid – and what city makers can do about it.

Community, connection and Covid-19: Building community resilience to a crisis

Empowering residents and increasing equality and inclusion can boost community cohesion – as well as keep communities resilient in tough times. In this case study of Grahame Park in Barnet, we explore the benefits of investment in community development programmes, and how they’ve flexed in lockdown.

Community, connection and Covid-19: How temporary interventions create streets for people

Case study exploring how a temporary parklet in Fitzrovia, Central London has helped foster a sense of community and connect commuters with local residents and businesses, even during the pandemic.

Community, connection and Covid 19: How landscape-led placemaking prioritises and strengthens community

Since the start of the pandemic people of all ages now spend more time outdoors – and the public realm has taken on a new significance in community life. As we look towards a post-pandemic future, this case study explores Thamesmead, the lessons we can learn from how communities have used outside spaces during lockdown and how landscape-led placemaking prioritises and strengthens community.

Places, Spaces and Sociality: how the built environment creates a sense of community

Since March 2020, the way we connect with each other has dramatically changed. But what influence does the built environment have? One day before the second UK lockdown came to an end, we explored the role of the built environment in fostering a sense of community.

Community, connection and Covid-19: how community hubs support cohesion and collaboration in tough times

Community hubs are an important element of social infrastructure, but, as physical meeting spaces, they have experienced huge challenges during the pandemic. Using Acton Gardens Community Centre as a case study, we reflect on the role of community hubs in typical times’, and ask how they can continue to support communities as we navigate the ‘new normal’.

Community, connection and Covid-19: how design can foster social connections

The housing we live in, the tenure we occupy and the greenspaces that knit our neighbourhoods together all play a role in helping build social connections. In this City Park West case study we explore how we use these buildings and how community functions have drastically changed in the wake of Covid-19.

‘Connections’ Ep. 5: How to build connection – when we are all two metres apart

In this podcast we ask Bethan Harris from The Loneliness Lab and Stephanie Goldberg from the GLA: how can we build community within the context of Covid-19?