The Shift in Behavior of Public Open Space Users during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Temporary or Permanent?

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted significant changes in daily life, including how people use public open spaces. While many studies have explored behavioral changes in these spaces during the pandemic, it remains unclear whether such shifts have persisted in the post-pandemic era. This study examines whether behavioral changes in public open space usage during the pandemic were temporary or lasting, using two public open spaces—Sanxia Square and Shapingba Park—in Chongqing, China. Data were collected through two questionnaire surveys and field observations conducted during and after the pandemic. Findings reveal that during the pandemic, 62.7% of users in Sanxia Square and 53.6% in Shapingba Park reported decreased usage, while only 9.5% and 14.1%, respectively, reported increased usage. Following the lifting of restrictions, visit frequency, duration, and activity levels increased significantly, indicating that most behavioral changes were temporary. However, 64.2% of respondents in Sanxia Square and 57.8% in Shapingba Park indicated they would reduce their usage again in the event of future pandemics, citing a lack of improvements in design and management. This study highlights the need for pandemic-resilient planning and design of public open spaces to ensure continued functionality under both normal and emergency conditions.