The space of rules and rules of space: reflecting on local ordinances during the Covid-19 pandemic

This article investigates the role of the spatial dimension in the formulation of pandemic rules in Italy, with a specific focus on the municipal ordinances enacted in Milan. The study conducts a critical review of multidisciplinary literature, which often marginalises the significance of spatial dynamics in the development of (pandemic) regulatory frameworks, relegating “space” to a peripheral rather than central concern. This research proposes an analytical framework to evaluate spatial rules based on key thematic categories, with reference to the application and structural attributes of pandemic regulations. The article also discusses the practical integration of spatial dimensions into regulatory design, emphasising the imperative of acknowledging and engaging with unique spatial characteristics in order to enhance the efficacy of legal and policy interventions.