Patricia Viel on post-pandemic cities: polycentric, tech-enabled, and pedestrian-friendly

In an interview with Artribune, architect Patricia Viel, co-founder of Milan-based studio Citterio-Viel, argues that the COVID-19 pandemic will not drive people out of cities but will reshape urban life toward polycentric, technologically advanced models. Viel dismisses the notion that density is the problem, noting that Milan was relatively spared compared to its hinterland. She praises Milan's municipal strategies, such as 30 km/h speed limits and the 15-minute city concept, which create wider sidewalks and outdoor spaces for bistros. Viel envisions a 'city of boroughs' where neighborhoods like Piazzale Loreto become self-sufficient hubs with broadband-enabled cafes for remote work. She emphasizes that the pandemic's legacy is not about rural flight but about rethinking work habits: people can now work remotely, reducing daily commutes. On building design, she advocates for 'ancillary spaces' within homes—small, isolated rooms for focused work. Her studio ACPV has formed a research group to study adaptive office layouts, focusing on acoustics and proximity. Viel predicts offices will become more attractive, collaborative, and spacious, not less, as they compete with home working. The interview was conducted by Miriam Pistocchi and published on June 2020.