The NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment has released the findings of its Public Spaces during COVID-19 survey research, finding that people’s appreciation for public spaces didn’t fade when the restrictions were eased, with 45% of people responding that they spent more time in public spaces than before COVID-19.

The results were drawn from close to 4,000 responses across two surveys: May-August 2020 (approx. 1,850 responses) and November 2020-March 2021 (approx. 2,150 responses).

Local parks, walking tracks, beaches and foreshores were the most popular locations for those surveyed. More people were also discovering public spaces through the digital services provided by museums, libraries and galleries.

The research returned seven key insights:

1. Even as restrictions eased, people’s love for public spaces remained strong.
2. People want high-quality public space that’s easy to access.
3. People were walking and cycling more than before COVID-19.
4. More people felt less safe in public spaces, especially because of crowding.
5. More people discovered online services provided by public facilities during COVID-19.
6. People were socialising more in public spaces into the second year of the pandemic.
7. People’s use of local high streets has increased since the start of COVID-19.

More information here