Spatial analysis of population density and its effects during the Covid-19 pandemic in Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Cities are densely populated centers that have struggled with many issues throughout history. Undoubtedly, the Covid-19 pandemic is the newest and one of the most critical challenges, which has caused many problems related to urban functions since its start in 2020. As the most vital factor in the spread and incidence of this virus relates to the contact with infected people, increased communication and face-to-face connections between people can probably increase the spread of the virus. This article seeks to answer the question whether population density and building density in urban areas affect the spread of Covid-19 and relating incidents. Using official statistics of Covid-19 patients from the beginning of its occurrence in Sanandaj, Iran (March 2020), to the end of 2020, its relationship with the two variables of population and residential density at the neighbourhood level was examined. The results show that the correlation between infection rate and population density per hectare as well as dwellings per hectare in the neighbourhoods is significant at the 0.01 level. This indicates that, with increasing population and residential density in the urban areas of Sanandaj, the incidence of Covid-19 has also increased.