The role of temporariness, emptiness and improvisation in uncertain times: evidence from urban responses to COVID-19

This paper focusses on the complex relationship between vacancy, temporary responses and uncertainty during turbulent times by analysing how a selection of cities—New York City, São Paulo, Milan, Moscow, Abu Dhabi, Esfahan, Karachi, Mumbai and Jakarta—addressed testing, treating, isolating and vaccinating the public in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These highly visible spatial responses offer immediate, pragmatic answers to unexpected conditions and, we argue, allow a more nuanced understanding of how planning might leverage flexibility and adaptability in a (post-)pandemic world.