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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 will investigate the role that both people and place play in creating community, and we will explore how London’s built environment sector can help forge and maintain a sense of belonging in both new developments and within existing neighbourhoods.
How to build connection – when we are all two metres apart podcast
Bethan Harris (Loneliness Lab) and Stephanie Goldberg (GLA) discuss lessons from lockdown for the built environment sector.
Listen here
Spaces, Places & Sociality webinar
We explore the influence that planning, design and development of the built environment can have in fostering community connections.
Write up and event video here
Community, connection and Covid-19
A series of case studies exploring different approaches to building community – and how these have fared during the pandemic.
If you have a story to share, or would like to contribute to the programme, please contact Anna Odedun.
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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.
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 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’.
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.
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?