The Future of Asian and Pacific Cities: Transformative pathways towards sustainable urban development in the post COVID-19 era [Discussion Paper]

Jens Aerts; Adele Vosper; Gregor Helmut Mews; Giselle Sebag; Mitchell Cook

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The Future of Asian and Pacific Cities: Transformative pathways towards sustainable urban development in the post COVID-19 era [Discussion Paper]

Jens Aerts, Adele Vosper, Gregor Helmut Mews, Giselle Sebag and Mitchell Cook

United Nations: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)

2020

Appears in COVID-19 Research

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https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/knowledge-products/The%20Future%20of%20Asian%20%26%20Pacific%20Cities_FINAL%2827%20Jan%2021%29.pdfView

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Abstract

Public health

urban health

cities

pandemic

COVID-19

build back better

resilience

climate change impact

Cities in the Asia-Pacific region have been heavily hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hyperconnected in a global web of urban networks, cities in the region have been the first hotspots. Although its impact was unprecedented, the disease was not unexpected, as similar contagious respiratory illnesses have previously occurred in the region. At the same time, unsustainable urbanization in the region, magnified by climate change, is a significant contributing factor to the emergence of new and more frequent zoonotic diseases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban dwellers has placed a focus on the spatial and socioeconomic aspects of cities. In addition, the crises not only demands attention for infectious diseases, but also for the serious increase of non-communicable diseases., often called the invisible pandemic, that are related to unhealthy environments and explain the more serious complications among COVID-19 victims. The various cycles of lockdowns and containments also have increased mental health issues among all generations. All these facts help to raise awareness that there is a need not just to look beyond the immediate COVID-19 response and economic recovery in the short term, but also to invest in sustainable urban development that strengthens health systems and urban resilience.

Details

Title: The Future of Asian and Pacific Cities: Transformative pathways towards sustainable urban development in the post COVID-19 era [Discussion Paper]
Authors: Jens Aerts (Author) - United Nations Children's Fund
Adele Vosper (Author) - Health Focus GmbH
Gregor Helmut Mews (Author)
Giselle Sebag (Author) - International Society for Urban Health
Mitchell Cook (Author) - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Publication details: 65 pages
Publisher: United Nations: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Date published: 2020
Organisation Unit: Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities Lab; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99625340602621
Output Type: Report
Local Fields: NT1

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