Requirements for the modern urban environment: the case of Munich’s Viktualienmarkt food market

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study considers and analyzes the challenges spurred by the COVID-19 spread in an urban environment under the example of Munich’s Viktualienmarkt food market operation. Its ultimate goal is to propose a comprehensive social distancing model for the German population in terms of food and economic activities under pandemic and post-pandemic conditions. As a result, the paper presented two dedicated models developed under current COVID-related safety measures. The first model was designed for food markets and involved the placement of a distancing grid with portable benches. The second model was designed for public eating facilities and involved the usage of isolated dining booths. The predicted effectiveness of the work of the food market and neighbouring eating facilities under the suggested solutions was investigated using the surveys addressed to the visitors of the studied area. The surveying process reaffirmed the necessity for advancing the development of innovative architectural concepts.