Density and pandemic urbanism: Exposure and networked density in Manila and Taipei

Density has been a key focus in research on the urban dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of this work has debated the role of density in infection rates. In contrast, we develop a comparison of the management of pandemic urbanism in two high density Asian cities with divergent pandemic experiences: Manila and Taipei. To pursue the comparison, we develop two conceptualisations of density: exposure density and networked density. Our approach allows us to examine the nature and consequences, especially for the urban poor, of different approaches to density in the pandemic, and to advance research on urban density.

Automated summary

Density is a key focus in studying the urban dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article compares the management of pandemic urbanism in two high-density Asian cities, Manila and Taipei, which have different experiences with the pandemic. The authors propose two conceptualizations of density, exposure density and networked density, to examine the nature and consequences of different approaches to density in the pandemic, particularly for the urban poor, and to advance research on urban density.