The same thing happened during the pandemic. Cities are built with large zoned swaths for residential, business and commercial all divided. When you can get around easy, that can work. But then suddenly with the WFH shift, entire sections were greatly impacted (such as restaurants in business districts).
On the other hand, Asian and European cities that have dense mixed use zoning fared much better because the restaurants could serve people regardless if they were wfh or at an office.
Sucks that the US is so car-centric. If there was actual public transit (especially of the electric variety), people would struggle a little less.
The same thing happened during the pandemic. Cities are built with large zoned swaths for residential, business and commercial all divided. When you can get around easy, that can work. But then suddenly with the WFH shift, entire sections were greatly impacted (such as restaurants in business districts).
On the other hand, Asian and European cities that have dense mixed use zoning fared much better because the restaurants could serve people regardless if they were wfh or at an office.