In many instances, prior to COVID-19 and in the face of urbanism, public space in our cities and communities had already begun to lose its sense of purpose and vibrance. With a focus on capitalist venture over community, cities became places of work and economic worth. Public space was claimed for development or left abandoned; its value forgotten. This has created a shift in the value of relationships between people, space and place. In 2020, COVID-19 came to remind us, all people, local and global, of our vulnerability. It created a change in the way we see and prioritise our living and has therefore created a shift in social interactions between people, space and place. Initially, as social restrictions were implemented, cities were drained of workers with a shift to ‘work from home’, tourists and consumer engagement (restricted beyond the bare essentials). A critical societal shift of health before wealth became a priority. With such a focus, there was an awakening to the value of relationships, with others and with the environment- spaces and places.
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