Reading the changing dynamic of urban social distances during the COVID-19 pandemic via Twitter

ABSTRACT

The socio-spatial density of cities creates a critical setting for the spread of viral infections. Urban public space provides a ground for people to interact with others outside of their immediate social network. Interaction with weak or absent social ties is critical in the spread of the pandemic, as it represents a connection with strangers. Accordingly, non-pharmaceutical urban measures often aim to limit these interactions as a means for mitigating the spread of COVID-19. This paper explores the effects of these control measures, comparing the mean distances between geotagged tweets within an eight-month timeframe in the city of Kyrenia, Cyprus. Furthermore, the paper questions the lasting effects of these measures on the socio-spatial structure of the city. The results indicate that the mean distance between tweets increases during the full quarantine and goes down immediately after the restrictions are lifted, but it does not reach its pre-pandemic status. The outcome also shows the localisation of activities during the outbreak which necessitates further elaboration on the relationship between newly emerged social norms and urban space.

KEYWORDS:

• Social distancing
• weak social ties
• COVID-19
• Twitter
• geotagged
• GIS

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 However, there is some debate on this as research on the topic is still in its embryonic stage (e.g. Hamidi et al. 2020).

2 Data retrieved from the TRNC Ministry of Health, accessed 30th September 2020, https://saglik.gov.ct.tr/Haberler

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aminreza Iranmanesh

Aminreza Iranmanesh is a lecturer at Near East University, Faculty of Architecture. His research explores urban network analytics, social media, GIS science, and urban geography. His current work addresses the emerging relationships between digital communication mediums and urban form.

Resmiye Alpar Atun

Resmiye Alpar Atun is a professor at the Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Architecture. Her relevant research fields include; regeneration issues, urban policies and strategies, sustainable urban development, EU spatial development perspective/policies, contested cities (ethnic, socio-economic, religious-based divisions within urban context), architectural design, urban design, identity and ethnic representation in spatial context, and housing issues.