Urban Planning in Response to Global Pandemic to Efficiently Absorb Pandemic Shocks: Psychological Aspect

Abstract

Cities are a home to most of the population of the world. People move to cities from rural areas in search of job opportunities, education, better life facilities etc. which results in drastic rise in population in the cities. Because of the high population concentration and the economic activities, cities are often hotspots for the faster and wider spread of any infectious related pandemic. The emergence of COVID-19 has once again made city planners to reflect on how prepared they are to control and manage a city during any pandemic and about life in cities post pandemic.This paper focuses on highlighting the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and suggesting new ways to help prepare cities to manage the mental health crisis of the city population caused during any pandemic. We will try to understand the factors that leads to mental health distress during any pandemic. Based on the understanding we will try to suggest some ways how city planners can plan and take necessary measures in order to cater for its population’s mental health. It is imperative for us all to understand that the root to being a successful nation is by having healthy and efficient man force.The economic growth of a nation wholly depends on the human labor. No matter how developed a nation is, it still relies on human force to do its work, to run its machines and to grow. Hence, it is needed to make sure that the principal source of economic growth is taken care of and is in good health both mentally and physically. Covid-19 has left the world and its way of functioning altered. Accepting and going by the “new normal” is also a challenge that the entire population of the world is now facing. In order for the population to cope with the altered and post pandemic world, urban planning should be done in a way to efficiently absorb the pandemic shocks mentally.