How COVID-19 could make our cities doughnut-shaped

Dec 14, 2020

A man wearing a protective face mask in Oxford street during rush hour as the spread of the coronavirus disease.

In London, visitors to retail and recreation spaces fell by up to 76.7% during the hight of the pandemic. Image: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Paul J. Maginn

Associate Professor of Urban/Regional Planning, University of Western Australia

Philip Hubbard

Professor of Urban Studies, King's College London

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Retail Trends (Non-seasonally Adjusted) Dec 2006 - October 2020 (Log Scale).

Internet sales are on the rise. Image: Dr Paul. J. Maginn (UWA, Perth, Australia) Source: ONS

Retail/Recreation Visitors, London (15 Feb - 24 Nov)

The pandemic caused a major drop in visitors to Manchester's retail and recreation centres. Image: Dr Paul. J. Maginn (UWA, Perth, Australia) Source: ONS

Image: Dr Paul. J. Maginn (UWA, Perth, Australia) Source: ONS

London Retail/Recreation Overall Ave. % Change in Visitors (Feb-Nov 2020)

London's inner-boroughs have seen the biggest drop off of retail activity, whilst the suburbs remain less effected. Image: Dr Paul. J. Maginn (UWA, Perth, Australia) Source: ONS

Topshop’s flagship store on Oxford Street.

Topshop's, who are part of the arcadia group, flagship store on the street is at risk of closure. Image: EPA-EFE/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

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