Post-covid City: Proximity Spaces, Sharing Economy and Phygital

Abstract

The pandemic has accelerated a series of processes taking place within our cities, forcing people to live, work and socialize exclusively in their own home for several months and, even today, for large portions of time. On the one hand, the use of digital devices and web space for work, study and leisure has allowed to carry out most of the daily functions and work activities, on the other hand many others have had to open to new uses producing unprecedented spatial possibilities. All these processes are interesting because they define more hybrid, flexible, lean and phygital characteristics of the space. The aim of this research is to demonstrate how the proximity and sharing spaces of the city can be characterized by these new aspects. The methodology that was used is the selection of contemporary examples thanks to literature and web sources. In the end, the case studies outline possible scenarios describing opportunities for the post-covid age in the near future.