As urban areas start to reopen, some are looking at their sidewalks, squares, parking lots and even streets as a hidden asset in
Public and outdoor space has been at a premium during the coronavirus pandemic: bike sales have leapt, park use is way up, and even pavement chalk drawing appears to be having a moment.
The city of Braga in northern Portugal has opened public squares, sidewalks, parks and more throughout the city to restaurants and local businesses seeking to reopen to customers while maintaining social distancing.
Even when he was allowed to reopen in early May, he could only do so at 25% capacity, including his staff - hardly a solution, Gigante said, until the Tampa mayor announced emergency policies allowing the new use of public space.
About 400 businesses have done so thus far, Simasius said, and as competitions arose, the city even had to come up with metrics for deciding which establishment would have access to which piece of public space.
For instance, Simasius said that while aspects of how the city permits outdoor use will go back to normal next year, the general aim of allowing more outdoor space and street closures will remain.
