In a two-part series originally published in Best in American Living, Sue Bady explores and asks the experts about how the social changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic will influence future community planning—as well as the ways in which Americans will want to live moving forward.
While architects, planners, and developers don’t anticipate huge changes, they expect a greater emphasis on remote work opportunities, safer socialization methods, and amenities.
“I think there will be renewed appreciation for things we already have, particularly outdoor spaces that allow us to interact without making physical contact — specifically the front porch,” says Don Powers, AIA, CNU, LEED AP, founder and president of Union Studio Architecture & Community Design in Providence, R.I. “When you’re on the front porch, you’re not in the street, but you’re not in the house … You’re in a protected, semi-private space.”
“I believe home buyers are looking for ‘Community as Amenity’ — meaning that no matter how large or small and whether urban or suburban, every project needs to embrace strong fundamentals of great neighborhoods,” says [Ken Ryan, principal of KTGY Architecture + Planning in Irvine, Calif.] “This includes pedestrian orientation, attractive streets, meaningful open space, a variety of housing, a safe public realm, and design elements that connect to the human experience.”
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