The recovery from the pandemic: A spatial-temporal analysis on the changes in mobility and public attitude in Singapore

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected individuals' daily lives. The reduction in mobility, decreased social interactions, and heightened uncertainty, negatively affected the public's emotional well-being. As restrictions eased, many countries transitioned towards a new normal. Understanding the connection between public attitude and urban mobility during the recovery phase is crucial for the planning of resilience urban environment. This study investigates the changes in urban mobility and public attitudes by analyzing public transportation and social media data. Findings indicate a significant increase in mobility during the recovery compared to the semi-lockdown period, with better resilience to subsequent outbreaks. Commercial areas and major public transit interchanges exhibited stronger recovery in mobility after new (sub)variants waves. Train mobility demonstrated robust recovery. Relaxation in April 2022 played a crucial role in increased mobility and reduced negative feelings. This policy shift contributed to a surge in positive emotions, particularly in locations where individuals could engage in social and recreational activities. Moreover, the increased beyond-neighborhood mobility was related to decreased negative emotions during the easing of restrictions. Commuting behaviors exhibited long-term changes after 30 months from the initial outbreak, e.g., preference shifted to trains from buses and reduced visits to destinations for international travel.