Across the country, communities, local governments, and individuals grapple with rapidly evolving economic circumstances. Containment of COVID-19, supply and demand structures, business practices, and overall regulations will greatly impact the economic landscape of cities for as long as the virus remains a threat. While these changes can be daunting, cities can make the best of these turbulent times by providing flexibility for residents and businesses to experiment, adjust, and find new patterns of specialization and trade that can be sustained in the post-coronavirus world.

This policy brief by Salim Furth, Nolan Gray, and Emily Hamilton addresses the generalities of the COVID-19 economic ramifications. The authors explore several policies that promote flexibility in land use and permitting, and they emphasize that overall, local governments should prioritize providing space for constructive innovation.