Believe it or not, indoor plumbing was slow to catch on. When it was introduced in the 1800s, the modern flush toilet or "water closet" seemed like a newfangled home feature, not a system to be widely adopted in homes around the globe.

Then came the cholera outbreaks. With a new awareness that urban living conditions could impact public health, cities implemented sewage systems to promote sanitation, ultimately leading to indoor plumbing. It was this pandemic that led to toilets becoming a standard feature in housing.

Pandemics have historically jumpstarted city innovation, and coronavirus (COVID-19) is no different. It’s been predicted that smart cities will see eventual benefits from the pandemic in the areas of transportation and 5G infrastructure, but we can’t forget about smart housing.

More people than ever are living in cities, which has resulted in millions of urban dwellers crammed into outdated housing. When it comes to addressing new needs in remote work, transportation and energy efficiency, most multifamily buildings are downright archaic. The current pandemic has also led to a spike in short-term moves — a sign that many people are finding that their urban apartments are no longer sufficient for post-COVID lifestyles and health priorities.

Past pandemics have always been a time of reinvention for urban housing. Today’s pandemic signals that it’s time once again for property developers to think about a new standard of living to promote healthier living spaces.

The housing amenities that were working for us a year ago now seem somewhat outdated following COVID-19. This crisis dramatically changed our daily behavior patterns from where we work, to how we get around, to how we shop — and many of these patterns are likely to be permanent.

Read the full article about COVID-19 and urban housing by Demetrios Barnes at Smart Cities Dive.