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“We must focus on urban planning as a response to such situations; for example, smart urban management systems will prepare our cities to minimize the impact of pandemics. A GIS mapping of positive cases and containment areas with real-time updates will help local and state governments to plan a strategy.”

–         Ar. Jitendra Mehta, Principal Architect, Mehta & Associates, Indore

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the architecture and design industry and has resulted in a delay in ongoing and future projects. No sourcing of materials, no physical inspection, and missed project deadlines in many cases have incurred huge losses. Today, we share the insights of Ar. Jitendra Mehta, Principal Architect, Mehta & Associates, Indore.

“The COVID-19 pandemic conditions have disrupted the functioning urban development and building construction sector, both public and private sectors. Social distancing and Personal Protective Equipment will be a new reality, thus urban and environmental policies must obey the risks and mitigation measures for the same. Needless to say, this has lead to significant economic loss.”

“It will be difficult for establishments to pay the wages of the skilled and unskilled workforce, and avoid layoffs in the absence of revenue. Even if the urban development and building construction sector resume in June 2020, the monsoon will further hamper projects. As most of these establishments belong to the MSME category, layoffs are inevitable in the sector. Of course, future projects will have to be planned, designed, developed, and implemented under the guidance of health directives.”

“Professionals can utilize the quarantine to research contemporary procedures and protocols to operate their industries after the lockdown and outbreak conditions. In terms of resuming economic activities, the markets shall lack liquidity for the survival of business during quarantine as new projects and investments would be delayed until a substantial revival in the market. Establishments must resume after the government relaxes the restrictions, and adopt a work culture that is not impacted by similar pandemics.”

“It is difficult to say if urban planning would alleviate further pandemics, as Covid-19 can be classified as a health disaster. Rather, we must focus on urban planning as a response to such situations; for example, smart urban management systems will prepare our cities to minimize the impact of pandemics. For example, a GIS mapping of positive cases and containment areas with real-time updates will help local and state governments to plan a strategy. After the pandemic is over, we look forward to new design standards to ensure social distancing norms for offices and assembly areas.”