Book Review: Architecture and Urbanism: Contemporary Approaches and New Ways of Living Post-COVID

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus was a global event whose impact profoundly affected every dimension of the human habitat. The health and well-being of individuals were severely compromised, resulting in illness and, in many cases, the loss of life, particularly among vulnerable populations. Economically, businesses were unable to operate under normal conditions due to social lockdowns, leading to substantial financial losses, business closures, and widespread unemployment. Social interaction and interpersonal relationships were likewise disrupted by physical distancing measures. Interestingly, mass media widely reported the apparent recovery of the natural environment during this period. As urban activities came to a halt, anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems declined significantly, allowing for observable environmental improvements. This phenomenon once again highlighted the extent to which human activity alters natural ecosystems and demonstrated that many environmental crises are, in fact, human-induced, resulting from the cumulative impacts of anthropogenic disturbances.