Changes in the Intensity of Flat Communal Spaces in the New Normal Era of Pandemic COVID-19 (Case Study of Penjaringan Sari Surabaya Flats)

One of the necessities of apartment dwellers is social interaction, which occurs in communal areas. As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, there are restrictions on social interaction and a call to remain at home. The COVID-19 epidemic alters the function of social rooms in apartments. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, characterizing the pattern using a rationalistic approach and explaining the condition of the item. This study aims to determine the number and impact of changes in the intensity of the communal space in apartment buildings as a space for social contact between inhabitants in the new normal period. Changes in the utilization pattern of community space in flats for formal activities, such as the communal, space in the RW and field halls with RT/RW meeting activities, range from high to low intensity. In the meantime, the level of informal activities in communal spaces such as the lobby, gardens/gazebos, and kiosks tends to grow, as speaking, sitting, and playing become more prevalent. Observations indicate that physical adaptations to this pandemic condition remain minimal, at only 17 percent. This is due to a lack of finance and public information regarding how to alter the building's physical components in response to the epidemic. As a result of the cancellation of many gathering events, such as RT/RW meetings, routine recitations, etc., the non-physical level of the epidemic is relatively high, at approximately 66 percent. © 2022 by authors, all rights reserved. Authors agree.