The Post Pandemic City
Cities that were under lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak are beginning to open up again. This week in New York City, construction crews began working again, factories began making goods and retail stores began offering curbside pickup.
It will be some time before we know how much of the old economies of these cities will return — and how quickly. But the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated some of the trends that were already eroding the benefits of living in a big city, and driving people to move to smaller cities and suburbs.
Meanwhile, the virus is still out there, preying on these cities' density, and their ability to crowd people and businesses together. There are tough times ahead for big American cities. But those tough times might also put in place the conditions for American cities to renew themselves in the future. Just like they have before.
You can read Derek Thompson's article here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/how-pandemic-will-change-face-retail/610738/
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