Mapping changes in spatial cognition of public spaces at NOVA University Lisbon (Campolide Campus) caused by COVID-19 restrictions, using GIS and perception

Abstract

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial TechnologiesThe global pandemic produced by COVID-19 has caused many changes that not only concern public health, moreover, is producing social effects that show differences in the perception and construction of spatial cognition that modify the way people live public spaces. To study these modifications, the thesis analyzes the changes in the perception and spatial cognition in public spaces at NOVA University Lisbon bringing a different focus and knowledge that can be used to understand how the pandemic crisis is affecting the social relationships in these public spaces. In order to gather information that allows to demonstrate the main perception of participants, a survey was developed, including three fundamental sections. One focus on before pandemic restrictions where there was no limitation or concerns about the contagion of the virus, a second one after pandemic restrictions where different health restrictions have been applied and have produced effects in the way people interact to each other in the public spaces. A third section tries to collect information about the perception of restrictions implemented in the study area. The survey was shared online with different students, professors and staff. The collected information was composed by drawn polygons and questions that participants answered related to the public spaces at the study area like the cafeteria, canteen, natural areas, benches, study rooms, library, offices and corridors. Results were analyzed showing the two main sections. The main analysis carried out was the survey data analysis, overlapping analysis, spatial distribution by sociodemographic characteristics, hotspot analysis and cluster analysis. Results show what were the changes and differences in the frequency and use of public spaces before and after pandemic restrictions