Adaptive Design of the Built Environment to Mitigate the Transmission Risk of COVID-19

Abstract

The recent global outbreak of highly contagious novel coronavirus disease has aroused public concern on environmental health and personal hygiene issues. The world has seen the rapid spread of transmission of this infectious disease within the built environment as well as outside. Each country is facing a tremendous challenge to get rid of this disease. Addressing this global concern, the primary objective of this paper is to instigate a discourse about the potential contribution of adaptive design of the built environment on public health specially in residential sector of Bangladesh. Also, this paper assesses a framework which will provide a guideline responding to pressing questions about future considerations labeled as ‘The new normal’ and it will be helpful for other scenarios as well. Methodologically this discussion is based on a framework, which is utilized for the analysis of existing current situation and is operationalized by identifying and mentioning design implications. Moreover, this paper originates insights for areas where future research will be critically needed through discussing some key issues. Finally, the paper concludes with an outlook that captures considerations regarding practice of public health in adaptive use of the surrounding built environment to mitigate the transmission risk of COVID-19.