Page 44 - Green Builder May-June 2020 Issue

Future shock? Architects and
contractors may need to rethink design
and construction strategies if economic
conditions worsen for homeowners.

New cause. Precedent
Furniture has switched from
CREDIT: MRINCREDIBLE/ISTOCK sofas to manufacturing
making chairs, beds and
protective masks.

regulations and sanitation systems were
HOME common responses. Infectious diseases are REFERENCES:
People will be home—a lot—with more certainly a top concern again today; they are ■ Imperial College: “Impact of non-
family members in the same place at the also a continuing issue in places where low pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)
same time. This is not the case for every- incomes lead to crowding, lack of sanitation, to reduce COVID-19 mortality and
one—health professionals, delivery work- and the like. healthcare demand.”
ers, people caring for physical infrastructure, For the past decades, however, those Harvard Global Health Institute: “U.S.
■
those cleaning and maintaining essential looking at the intersections of planning, Hospital Capacity.”
facilities—may be out quite a bit. But for design, and public health have focused less
■ Washington Post: “Here’s one estimate
most people, homes also need to provide on infectious diseases and more on three of how much the curve needs to flatten
support, challenge, and delight to maintain other areas: chronic disease, hazards and in your community.”
physical and mental health. Not all homes disasters, and the vulnerable. For chronic New York Times: “The Coronavirus is
are healthy. For example, poor indoor air diseases—those lasting a year or more— ■ Here to Stay, So What Happens Next?”
quality caused by mold or poor ventila- the environment can provide options for
tion is a substantial health hazard. Physical healthy behaviors such as physical activity ■ Journal of the American Planning
activity can be carried out indoors but may or mental restoration. For hazards—such Association: “From Congestion to
involve changing behavioral patterns. This as climate change—planners and design- Sprawl: Planning and Health in
is surely a design issue, and again one more ers need to address flooding, droughts, and Historical Context.”
critical for those with fewer resources. More climate-led migration. And for the vulner- This story originally appeared on the
than ever, access to the internet, as well as able, the environment needs to focus on Harvard University Graduate School
to physical public spaces, are key planning, those who are old, young, have preexist- of Design website. website and is being
design and health concerns. ing conditions, or have low incomes. The reprinted by permission. It has been edited
An infectious disease pandemic chal- current pandemic brings the question of for editorial style.
lenges recent research in the area of healthy designing for infectious diseases back to
places. In the 19th century, the emerging the forefront, however, and raises impor- Ann Forsyth is Ruth and Frank Stanton
planning and design professions shared a tant questions for future research and Professor of HUGSD. She is also co-director
core interest in infectious diseases. Building practice. GB of Harvard’s Healthy Places Design Lab.

38 GREEN BUILDER May/June 2020 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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