The city matters: urbanization, regional analysis and urban segregation in times of the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20947/S0102-3098a0205

Keywords:

Urbanization, Regional analysis, Urban segregation, COVID-19, Pandemic

Abstract

In early 2020, urban settlements worldwide have experienced the rapid expansion of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Cities were the hotspots of virus contamination within countries presenting significant COVID-19 notifications. In this study, we first investigate the COVID-19 dissemination between compact and sprawling big cities, examining aspects such as urban density, location of people and jobs and commuting patterns. Previous literature and recent data from three distinct big cities (New York, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo) support our discussion. Our literature review demonstrates that urban morphology, infrastructure, mobility projects and economic activities are relevant aspects of urban development that might affect interactions among citizens and COVID-19 dissemination. In addition, we show that regional scale and urban network analysis are also relevant in studies investigating COVID-19 growth. Finally, our literature review shows that urban socio-spatial vulnerability is also relevant in times of pandemic, highlighting the associations between COVID-19 dissemination and socio aspects within cities, such as poverty and inequality.

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Author Biographies

Douglas Sathler, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Diamantina-MG, Brasil

Douglas Sathler é doutor em Demografia pelo Centro de Desenvolvimento e Planejamento Regional da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Cedeplar-UFMG). Professor associado II da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) e professor colaborador do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia da UFMG.

Guilherme Leiva, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (Cefet-MG), Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil

Guilherme Leiva tem pós-doutorado pelo Programa de Engenharia de Transportes do Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa de Engenharia, da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Coppe-UFRJ), é doutor em Demografia pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) e mestre em Arquitetura pela UFMG. Professor do curso de Engenharia de Transportes do Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais.

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Published

2022-06-07

How to Cite

Sathler, D., & Leiva, G. . (2022). The city matters: urbanization, regional analysis and urban segregation in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazilian Journal of Population Studies, 39, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.20947/S0102-3098a0205

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