A visitor wearing a mask walks past an exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in central Seoul on May 6, 2020. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The state-run Korea Land & Housing Corp. (LH), is planning to create city plans to prepare for the spread of infectious diseases such as the novel coronavirus.
LH said Monday it will carry out research to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and create a city that can offer treatment and prevention against the virus.
The corporation recently predicted that COVID-19 will have a negative impact on the local economy and the physical and mental health of urban residents, and that a prolonged outbreak could paralyze the basic functions of a city.
In particular, modern cities have high population density, rapid movement due to the development of transportation, and a high proportion of elderly residents.
Therefore, special preparation is needed for emergency situations such as the spread of infectious diseases more than in the past, explaining the need for this type of research.
LH plans to review whether the existing urban planning paradigm is still valid for the health of urban residents, and establish components for creating a healthy future city.
The organization also plans to review management measures such as the deployment of open spaces, the use of flexible urban spaces, and the creation of a community environment considering the socially disadvantaged so that the city can respond to emergency situations such as the spread of a virus.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
