Cities, countryside and heritage: biopower and new values in designing public spaces

In answering the call and the spirit of this conference that hinges on heritage, architecture, cities and media, the initial proposal was submitted on the 10th April, coinciding with the first peak of the Covid- 19 crisis in this country. Uncertainty and the fear of the unknown were palpable. The PM was in the hospital, 866 people died in England after testing positive, while the Archbishop of Canterbury led the

first national digital Easter Sunday service from his kitchen. People were warned to stay away from holiday destinations, and statistics emerged showing that BAME people have been disproportionately more effected by Covid-19 contributing to the discussion on race and racism that came to play a role in examining our society’s heritage and monuments in public spaces. Under these conditions the question I pose in this paper is what are the new dynamics between cities and the countryside, particularly in relation to public spaces and the position of the subject? What do we as architects and designers of public spaces in the situation of a pandemic need to unravel and focus on in order to create safe, inclusive and delightful spaces that will help us to live better and to thrive?