International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 - Edition 9, 27th of August 2020
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International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020
Would you: ■ Like to know more about one of the examples mentioned in this Monitor? ■ Do you have a question you would like to ask, or would you like to get in touch with particular towns or cities? ■ Would you like to receive this Monitor in your inbox in future? If so, please send an email to internationaloffice@amsterdam.nl This Monitor aims to provide a general impression of the measures taken by other cities in Europe and around the world following the outbreak of COVID-19. The Monitor addresses various fields; all examples are selected in light of their relevance to cities, particularly to Amsterdam. This document also contains overviews of EU measures and of sources of information that are relevant to cities. For more information about the way that Amsterdam is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, go to this website. You can find the previous editions of the monitor here.
Content Local and regional lockdowns in the United Kingdom 4 Local and regional lockdowns in Germany 6 Local restrictions in the province of Antwerp 7 Face masks in France 8 Impact of corona on metropolitan regions 9 In lockdown in Israël 11 Focus on the nights during coronavirus 14 Tourism during and post COVID-19 16 Housing market: exodus from cities? 18 Overview of relevant resources 19
Local and regional lockdowns
in the United Kingdom
Local lockdown measures are (or At the end of June, Leicester became Due to the fact that the measures
were) in place in four areas of the one of the first cities in Europe to face taken in in schools and workplaces
United Kingdom. These areas are a local lockdown. While some measures proved not to have been sufficiently
in Leicester, Luton (not far north of were relaxed in the rest of the United successful, more drastic measures were
London) and Northern England, which Kingdom on 4 July, this was not the implemented in Leicester in order to
includes Greater Manchester. On 22 case in Leicester. A local lockdown was reduce the spread of the virus. After
August, Northampton was added to deemed to be required after health having been open for two weeks,
the list of locations where stricter workers reported a steep rise in the shops not selling basic necessities
local measures apply. The measures number of infections in the city. In the were required to shut their doors
were relaxed in Luton on 1 August. two weeks prior to 23 June, Leicester again. Restaurants, bars and fitness
City Council reported 944 positive centres had to stay closed. During the
To assist local authorities in establishing coronavirus tests. local lockdown, non-essential visits to
and managing local lockdowns, the Leicester are permitted. Residents are
national government has published This increase was striking, as the also permitted to leave the city.
guidelines, which are designed to help number of infections in Leicester was
local decision-makers. Local authorities three times higher than in the city A striking number of infections were
are responsible with the second-highest number of reported among young residents and
for planning and implementing coronavirus infections in the United in a neighbourhood in the east of the
local lockdowns and the associated Kingdom. In this period, Leicester city. This is a poor, densely populated
measures. The police are authorised to accounted for 10 per cent of the total neighbourhood, with large families
fine anyone who fails to comply with infections in the whole of the United living in small houses, which renders
the measures. Kingdom. social distancing more difficult. People
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 4 of 20
with health issues were advised to stay for the rise in the number of infections travel outside of your own district or
at home (shield) as much as possible are considered to be meetings and area. Holidays are permitted, but only
and to avoid contact with others. parties involving different households with people from the same household.
Leicester City Council published advice and the failure to observe social
on this subject on their website. The distancing measures. The national Northampton
local authorities offered people who government and local authorities are A recent outbreak of coronavirus
decided to shield two face masks for if working together to stop the virus infections has been linked to the
they needed to leave the house. spreading further. Greencore factories in the city of
Northampton. Greencore, which
The measures in Leicester were relaxed The measures are in force in the produces food for stores including
again on 19 August. Beauty salons, following districts and areas: Marks & Spencer, decided to close
tattoo shops and nail studios are all Greater Manchester: City of their doors from 21 August after
now allowed to reopen. However, Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, almost 300 of their 2,100 staff tested
services requiring close contact – such Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, positive for coronavirus. Staff who had
as eyebrow and facial treatments – are Tameside, Rochdale and Salford. worked in the factory in the two weeks
still not permitted. Fitness centres Lancashire: Blackburn together with prior were asked to go into quarantine
offering indoor sports activities, indoor Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, for two weeks. The measures are
swimming pools, casinos and indoor Preston and Rossendale. focused specifically on the staff, their
playgrounds are all to remain closed. West Yorkshire: Bradford, Calderdale housemates, and their homes. •
The local lockdown is in force for the and Kirklees.
entire city and the surrounding area.
The specific measures can vary per
Greater Manchester district and area. For example, the
There is a new coronavirus outbreak measures in Bradford are stricter
in parts of Greater Manchester, than those in the other areas in the
East Lancashire, Preston and West Northwest of England. The advice in
Yorkshire. The most significant causes the Northwest of England is not to
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 5 of 20
Local and regional lockdowns in Germany Germany is fighting outbreaks of During the lockdown, inhabitants of to Gütersloh and the neighbouring COVID-19 with targeted local and Gütersloh were only allowed out of district of Warendorf. The inhabitants regional restrictions, such as bans on the house with one other member were permitted to leave the district. going out in the evenings. Closing of their household, and all public Restrictions did not apply outside the down entire neighbourhoods is thought buildings, including museums, were zone where the lockdown had been to be impossible and ineffective. Local closed. Catering establishments were imposed. In July, the courts ended this lockdowns can be introduced when the allowed to open but customers were local lockdown, advising ‘flexible tailor- number of infections rises above only welcome with a member of their made measures’ instead. 50 per 100,000 inhabitants. own household. The restrictions applied Gütersloh On 23 June, a partial local lockdown was introduced in the German town of Gütersloh. It followed a huge COVID-19 outbreak linked to a meat factory in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. The number of people in the meat factory who contracted the coronavirus rose to 1,553, which was approximately one quarter of the workforce. Some family members of employees also contracted the virus. International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 6 of 20
Local restrictions
in the province of Antwerp
A lot of Dutch people spent part of this summer with their southern neigh- Decision-making on crisis measures
bours (the Belgians). The borders with Belgium had been open again from 15 These extra restrictions came about
June and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs classified the whole of Belgium as after consultations between the
a ‘code yellow’ country. But Dutch tourists in Belgium were soon faced with governor of Antwerp, the Provincial
more stringent measures than they had been used to at home. From 29 July Crisis Cell and the Director-General
to 26 August, the restrictions that had previously been lifted were tightened of the National Crisis Centre. They
up in response to the rising rate of coronavirus infections. came on top of the existing federal
measures. Municipalities can refine
Restrictions ■ Alcohol may not be sold between and tighten the measures after
■ Face masks were made mandatory in 22.00 and 6.00. consultation. Mayors were involved in
public areas throughout the province ■ Overcrowding on the Oostende the process, but decisions were largely
of Antwerp for everyone of 12 years beaches meant that for a long time, made at the Provincial Resolution
and older. This means that everyone people had to reserve a place on the level. The governor is responsible for
over 12 must wear a face mask on the beach. enforcing public order in the province,
street, and on the way to the toilet i.e. public peace, security and health.
from an outdoor terrace. Extra restrictions were imposed in the
■ A curfew was imposed. People are hardest-hit areas (in and around the The latest figures show that the
banned from public areas between city of Antwerp): all events and parties situation appears to be under
1.30 and 5.00, except essential or im- were strictly forbidden, party venues control since these measures were
perative journeys for urgent medical were closed, gyms were forced to shut introduced. Read more about the
reasons, for essential work or when their doors. restrictions in Flanders here.
leaving for/returning from holiday.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 7 of 20
Face masks
in France
France makes face masks mandatory applies to Confined areas
at work and in schools anyone over Face masks have been
Due to the rising rate of infections in 11 and has been in mandatory in confined areas
France in recent weeks, as from 1 Sep- force since 21 August. in France for several weeks. This
tember, the French must start wearing Face masks are also mandatory when includes public transport, museums,
face masks at work. They may only take riding a bike or scooter, and when cafés, restaurants, shops, churches,
their mask off if they are working in an carpooling. The general response from post offices, banks and cinemas. Peo-
individual, closed-off workplace. residents has been positive because it ple may only remove their face masks
takes away the uncertainty about when in restaurants while they are eating.
The French government has also made and where face masks should be worn They must be worn when arriving at
it mandatory for secondary school and when not. As from 26 August, face the restaurant, when leaving and when
pupils from the age of 11 to wear face masks will also be mandatory through- going to the toilet.
masks when at school. The Ministry of out the city of Marseille.
Education is supplying teaching staff Restricted opening hours in Marseille
with face masks; pupils must provide In recent weeks, hundreds of towns Marseille is the first city in France to
their own. and villages decided to make face force bars and restaurants to close
masks mandatory in busy streets and at their doors between 23.00 and 6.00.
Face masks mandatory throughout markets. Examples are Paris and Lyon, This step was taken when the number
Nice, Toulouse and Marseille and suburbs such as Saint-Denis, the of infections rose steeply over the past
Toulouse and Nice are the first major holiday destination La Rochelle and the few days. The measure is currently set
cities to make face masks mandato- industrial city Rouen. Non-compliance to apply until 30 September.
ry throughout the city. The measure can lead to fines of € 135 or more.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 8 of 20
Impact of COVID-19
on metropolitan
regions
COVID-19 also has its impact on a
metropolitan scale. This impact is
seen in challenges related to mobility,
the labour market, sustainability and
the recovery phase.
Metropolitan regions in Europe differ
in terms of structure, management and
democratic content. What they have
in common is reflected in the issues
dealt with. They are spatial, economic
and mobility challenges, which include bus services. Stations, stops and means As far as sustainability is concerned,
issues relating to sustainability, afforda- of transport need to be arranged dif- many metropolitan regions, including
bility and quality of life. ferently to facilitate social distancing. the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam
In metropolitan regions, the pedestri- (MRA), aim to use the momentum cre-
As a result of COVID-19, for example, an and cycling infrastructure has to be ated by the recovery from the corona
the use of local and regional public developed faster: better connections, crisis to accelerate the transition to-
transport systems has sharply declined more space, better flow of traffic. This wards a more sustainable society. This
and public transport companies are presents metropolitan regions with new is prompted by economic and ecolo-
sustaining considerable losses on the dilemmas in spatial choices and the use gical convictions and agreements. It
operation of underground, tram and of scarce resources. involves accelerated greening of busi-
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 9 of 20
with these issues. The EMA organises
webinars in which officials share their
experiences, expertise and ambitions.
On behalf of the MRA, Haarlemmer-
meer alderwoman and MRA adminis-
trator Marja Ruigrok took part in a we-
binar with the metropolitan regions of
Milan and Oslo, led by Metropolis GZM
(Katowice).
These metropolitan regions have simi-
larities with regard to impact and reco-
very ambitions, each emphasising their
own aspects based on their local situati-
on. Alderwoman Ruigrok presented two
scenarios for recovery for the MRA. The
first scenario concerns a 20-minute me-
tropolis in which housing, work and re-
creation is accessible within 20 minutes
nesses (reduction of CO2 emissions), pean Green Deal and the fight against for every resident. The second scenario
the use of circular chains, more clean COVID-19, more policy, knowledge and is the modular metropolis, in which new
energy generation, the transition of la- finance instruments are being made and existing buildings are developed or
bour from a ‘fossil’ economy in which a available by the EU. redeveloped based on the principles of
lot of labour is lost to growing sectors, sustainability and reuse. These scena-
accelerated improvement of internati- Metropolitan regions use their net- rios were developed by the Amsterdam
onal rail links to replace short-distance works, such as METREX and the Euro- Economic Board. •
flights, the development of heating and pean Metropolitan Authorities (EMA),
cooling solutions, etc. With the Euro- to exchange knowledge on how to deal
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 10 of 20In lockdown in Israël
Text and photographs by Hadas Itzkovitch
and Anya van Lit
Photographers Hadas Itzkovitch and Anya van Lit flew
to Israel at the end of February for a photo project and
to visit family. Due to a lockdown, they were stuck in an
idyllic living/working community for 3 months. Israel is
now experiencing its second wave of COVID-19 cases,
this time without a lockdown but with strict measures.
The sky is blue today, bluer than it was yesterday. It is
day 50 of our lockdown in the Garden of Eden. Nothing
is happening here. There is a snake sunbathing at the
entrance to the house. It’s a grass snake that has lost its
way in the fields around our temporary home.
We came here at the end of February to spend a few
weeks visiting family in Israel. We settled into a beautiful
house with a swimming pool surrounded by fields and
plantations in moshav Haniel, an agricultural cooperative in
the Hefer Valley. We had been there just a few days when
the first infections were discovered in the Netherlands and
Israel, and the virus was spreading all over the world.
‘50 tangerines, 50 days in lockdown’ Photography by Hadas Itzkovitch and Anya van Lit
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 11 of 20Tourists were no longer allowed into But this paradise contrasted sharply death toll had already risen to more
the country, but we thought we could with Israel’s harsh reality. The govern- than 3,000. After just over 3 months,
still get out. Our flight was cancelled, ment made the lockdown stricter and we flew back to Amsterdam in a
and Israel closed its airspace to almost stricter. Everyone had to wear a mask crowded plane.
all passenger flights. in public, all shops were closed except
supermarkets and pharmacies. You The sky is blue today. From our
We were safe, and we were in a nice had to stay within a hundred metres of window, in the centre of Amsterdam,
place. At the time, we had no idea that your house. No family visits; parks and we watch lines of tourist following their
soon we would no longer be able to beaches were closed. The government guide across the Torensluis bridge. The
step outside the house. set up a special army unit to help the outdoor cafés are still open after
police monitor the roads. The Israeli 1 a.m.. As soon as the sun shines,
Our friends assured us that we could secret service, Shin Bet, tracked the people sit close together, slightly
stay in their house for the time being. residents through the mobile phone inebriated, in small boats. In the hustle
We walked into the garden and felt a network. We instinctively turned off all and bustle of Amsterdam it seems like
sense of peace come over us. From of our phones. Only to turn them back the virus never existed. It’s difficult to
then on, we would take everything one on again half an hour later, because we keep a distance from whole groups
day at a time. There was nothing else can’t live without them. of unmasked people in the narrow
we could do. streets.
When we decided to drive to Hadas’
We woke up to the sound of singing parents to deliver groceries, we almost Israel appeared to have defeated
birds, with the smell of pure air filled drove into a barricade. After showing the virus. Public life opened up again
with citrus blossom. We followed the the soldiers the full bag on the back there too, and people were able to
bees to the best fruit trees in the area seat we were allowed to continue our meet up in groups again. As a result,
and at night we listened to the jackals journey. But it felt as if we were under a second wave, with more than 1000
howling nearby. Meanwhile, we were siege. infections a day, is now flooding the
busy working on sketches for a new country. Our visit in October, to finish a
photography project. The surrounding The rigorous lockdown is slowly photography project, seems like a far-
area became our studio. containing the virus, with 208 people fetched
killed so far. In the Netherlands, the reality. •
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 12 of 20‘Hold your breath for 50 seconds’ Photography by Hadas Itzkovitch and Anya van Lit International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 13 of 20
Focus on the nights
during coronavirus
In many cities across the globe, night- was compiled in cooperation with an
time culture is facing its greatest international panel, including night
challenge ever: clubs, venues and mayors, academics and people from
other cultural places where people the music industry, among others, and
gather are likely to be the last places is intended as an interactive platform
allowed to reopen. A balance needs for cities to share strategies, tools and
to be found between health, public lessons learned. Chapters of the plan
order and security, the economy, will be published over the course of
employment, public space, culture, the year.
events and enforcement.
The first chapter, published in July,
Examples from practice: focuses on the use of open-air space.
Berlin, Vilnius Due to the ongoing restrictions on the
Research into this balance is also use of indoor spaces and the increasing
being conducted in the international desire to socialise, the demand
sector, in the ‘Global Nighttime for open-air space has increased
Recovery Plan’ report, for example. significantly over recent months.
This report offers a practical guide The report lists the advantages and
for cities trying to determine ways challenges of open-air hospitality,
and strategies to safely reopen their outdoor events and ‘free gatherings’. It
creative and night-time economies. It discusses case studies including open-
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 14 of 20air festivals in Berlin which, according to the report, did lead to a great deal of criticism but not to a rise in infections. The pavement café policy in Vilnius resulted in more space but, just as in Amsterdam, also met with criticism from local residents. The Global Nighttime Recovery Plan conducted research in several cities and reached the following findings: 1. In cities where there are no alternative social activities, dangerous illegal social activities are found. 2. In cities where lockdown easing takes place too soon, people quickly relax and are less inclined to adhere to the rules, increasing the risk of a second lockdown. 3. In cities where infection rates are low, a false sense of security develops, These issues are also prevalent in The above findings reveal that local leading people to act as if the virus Amsterdam. There is close coordination governments and authorities which are no longer exists and the economic with the sector in that respect. Close close to their people and communicate problems have disappeared. This contact is also maintained with fellow clearly with their residents will come can affect vigilance and moreover governments of various cities in the out of this crisis better and be better leads politicians to ignore struggling Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the able to cope with a future one. More businesses (in the night-time culture, world to share policies, strategies and info on the Global Nighttime Recovery for example). experiments. Plan is available via vibe-lab.org. International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 15 of 20
Tourism
during and post COVID-19
Amsterdam has asked the city ad- over-tourism before the pandemic took
ministrations of Barcelona, Cologne, place and closed down all tourism activ-
Genova, Florence, London and Venice ities. For Cologne, Genua and London
about their tourism policies during and over-tourism was not really an issue be-
after COVID-19 crisis and whether they fore the pandemic. From all the cities it
change their policies in order to pre- becomes clear tourism is an important
vent a second wave of COVID-19 and part of their economy and that they
to prevent over-tourism in the near and are all looking into how tourism can be
further future. The cities were asked re-started.
how they deal with tourism in the re-
covery phase in order to prevent a sec- Cologne has for example started a
ond wave of COVID-19 infections and conversation with hotels, restaurants
potentially a second lockdown of the and bars about putting measures into
city, but also how they view tourism in place to prevent the virus from spread-
the longer term. Furthermore, the cities ing. Also Florence is actively informing
were asked how they involve both the the public about health measures to
citizens and representatives of the tour- prevent spreading of the virus. Fur-
ism sector in making the policy plans. thermore, most cities are looking into
spreading tourists over the city and to
The cities Barcelona, Florence and prevent overcrowding in the usually
Venice indicate they suffered from popular city centres.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 16 of 20In general, all cities are looking for Florence also consulted the citizens of
more quality tourism, which means Florence in a participatory approach
attracting tourists that look at more sus- about the new tourism policy plans. In
tainable, greener options but also who Genova, the citizens of the city centre
stay for a longer period of time in the are made part of the new tourism plans.
city and choose more activities to do
and places to visit. In Venice, where there is a stark con-
trast between the interests of the tour-
None of the cities mentioned spe- ism sector and the citizens, there is
cific measures aimed at preventing currently no involvement with the cit-
over-tourism. It seems more focussed izens as the local government favours
on changing the type of activities on the tourism sector by claiming that
offer and places to visit to change the tourism provides jobs and supports the
type of tourists coming to the cities and local economy. Cologne and London
to increase the length of time spent in do seem to suffer less from stark inter-
the city. est contradictions between the tourism
sector and the citizens of the city. •
The Italian cities and Barcelona all con-
sult the tourism sector about new plans
and initiatives concerning tourism via a
so-called tourism council. The process
used in Florence seems quite extensive
with several online meetings and public
presentations. In Cologne and Lon-
don this consult seems less organised
through councils but seem to be more
direct.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 17 of 20Housing market
an exodus from cities due to the corona crisis?
The impact of the coronavirus on housing, mostly in larger towns and
the housing market appears to vary cities, is often found to be the cause of
around the world. While the housing coronavirus infections
market is seemingly unaffected in the
Netherlands (except for the fact that The effect of the coronavirus on the
more people are looking for a house Berlin housing market is such that
with a garden), the United Kingdom has there are currently very few changes
seen more people wanting to leave the in ownership or tenancy. There are
cities than those wanting to move to no signs of an exodus out of the city,
one. People want more space and, with as there is in London. The advantage
so few social activities – if any – being of Berlin is that there is a lot of green
able to take place now, there are fewer space and relatively much outdoor
and fewer advantages to living in the space.
city.
In the United States we again see
This trend in the housing market has that, given the possibilities of working
led to a fear that the inequality in the remotely, people are increasingly coming months, however, house prices
country will increase. Only wealthy looking for a home in a less expensive in the US are expected to fall as a
white-collar workers are able to afford area. There was also a rise in the result of the high unemployment rates
to move away from the cities, in number of home sales over the past the country has experienced and will
addition to which small, poor quality months, despite the crisis. For the continue to experience.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 18 of 20Overview If you would like to know more about an example in
this monitor or have a question, please let us know:
of relevant resources internationaloffice@amsterdam.nl
■ New in this overview: An overview ■ The Global Parliament of Mayors ■ This handbook examines research
of the infection rates at sub-national has an overview of best practices and methods and forecasting relating to
(regional) level in Europe. a forum for questions from directors. the coronavirus.
■ The OECD has launched a website ■ The City Innovators Forum has ■ Eurocities has a website containing
containing policy analyses and figures designed a comprehensive toolbox urban best practices and organises
relating to COVID-19, focusing in for urban policy during the time of webinars on a variety of topics.
particular on the economy, health, the coronavirus.
and social affairs ■ UNESCO has compiled a list of useful
■ The European Commission’s Joint tools and tips to facilitate distance
■ The National Association of City Research Centre has an ‘overview of learning.
Transportation Officials has relevant overviews‘
information for and by transport pro- ■ Smart Cities World mainly looks at
fessionals. ■ The European Committee of AI, ICT and the future in relation to
Regions has an interactive map the coronavirus.
■ Politics of COVID-19 weekly gives on measures in different European
the most relevant highlights and regions ■ C40 also provides information on
webinars on COVID-19 various themes and there are board
■ CEMR (Council of European Municip- and expert level discussions. In additi-
■ The World Economic Forum, the alities and Regions) has recommenda- on, C40 has a specialised Knowledge
Resilient Cities Network, Friends tions for waste collection during the Hub.
of Europe and UCLG also regularly coronavirus crisis.
facilitate webinars.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 9, 27th of August 2020 Page 19 of 20You can also read
