People’s absence from public places: academic research in the post-covid-19 era

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed how people can safely use public spaces, particularly in densely populated urban environments. This short commentary revealed the effects of people’s absence in public places due to the series of lockdowns or social distancing policies imposed due to the pandemic. The argument presented was that the absence of people affects urban studies, and considers urban atmospheres in public places during such pandemic times. This article provides a six-step conceptual framework that guides urban planners and designers in reconstructing public space settings for affective atmospheres based on new realities in people’s presence and proximity.