After the state of emergency, nothing will return to the way it was. At that point, public and private spaces will routinely be occupied in ways that prevent transmission of a still-active virus. However, just as this situation has forced us to recognize our deficient healthcare system, it has also revealed how inadequate the spaces we inhabit often are.
Because architecture is fundamentally concerned with space, online talks and panels have been organized worldwide to discuss cities and architecture in the wake of this crisis—which is already severely impacting the economy at all levels. Architectural and urban space must therefore change, not just to accommodate temporary socialization protocols, but because the current situation has forced us to reflect on the need for permanent improvements to spatial quality.
In countries like ours, where informal construction is highly prevalent and building professionals do not reach low- and middle-income sectors, this issue is deeply concerning. In these lines, however, we do not wish to address the so-called informal city, but rather urban design and formal or legal architecture—at least on paper—which in many relatively stable countries is typically managed through private real estate developments or social housing projects alongside public amenities promoted by the state. The latter are almost non-existent in Peru, despite being a long-standing necessity.
