Box 1.13: Alleviating food security in the Philippines through satellite markets

residential area, meaning that shopping malls, shops and eateries in the area were also forced to close. Given its central importance to Nairobi’s economy, the impact of this move on the city and even the country was considerable.92

Box 1.13: Alleviating food security in the Philippines through satellite markets

In the Philippines, UN-Habitat has opened two satellite markets and several mobile stores around Marawi City to bring fairly priced food and essential goods closer to people. Due to the lockdown and closure of local shops, people had to travel significant distances to city centres to find open markets, if public transport was available. The satellite market makes products available at fixed locations, reducing travel distances and promoting mixed-use within walking distance.93 And it is important to remember that compact, mixed-use neighbourhoods have the potential to deliver benefits even beyond the emergency response phase of a pandemic such as COVID19. In the medium to long-term, a sustained increase in remote working and the associated reductions in people’s need to travel are likely to create a growing demand for local, easily accessible services and facilities. This could offer an opportunity to promote healthier lifestyles based around physical activity and community cohesion.

A sustained increase in remote working and the associated reductions in people’s need to travel are likely to create a growing demand for local, easily accessible services and facilities

Wearing of face mask for protection during covid-19 pandemic © Shutterstock