Skip to main content

Science Explains How to Design Urban Spaces that Heal Us (upliftconnect.com)

 

Urban designers thus have a significant role to play in lowering these rates of mental illness, and the data on how nature affects our brains is central to changing the ways we design. As depression is the world’s biggest cause of disability, we cannot afford to ignore the impact of public environments on mental health.

Multiple stressors associated with city living have been shown to increase activity in the parts of the brain corresponding to the ‘flight or fight’ response.

How does exposure to nature reduce these stresses? There are two enduring theories on how nature affects the brain. Both are based on nature having a restorative effect on cognitive and emotional function.

Many people seek out nature to restore wellbeing, and multiple disciplines have sought to measure these restorative effects.

The result is more than 40 years of research, quantifying specific neurological, cognitive, emotional and physiological effects of ‘nature’ elements. These effects include increased calm and rumination, decreased agitation and aggression, and increased cognitive functioning–such as concentration, memory and creative thought.

This wealth of data has been largely overlooked in driving good urban design.

To read more of Zoe Myers' article, please click here.

Add Comment

Comments (2)

Newest · Oldest · Popular

Concurring with you Robert, as a Midwest farm girl, my childhood memories of growing up on the farm are cherished. The sights and sounds of nature, animals (domestic and wild), green grass and corn fields as far as one could see, the creek rippling with gentle waves, organic gardens (before there was such a thing), and brilliant night skies with stars you felt you could touch ~ absolutely majestic.

During meditation, I often return to those priceless childhood memories.

I spent a substantial portion of my early childhood in 'Natural Environments", such as the 'remnants of an apple orchard' in the larger woodlot behind my house. I also had maternal grandparents who were 'naturalists/conservationists'-who planted trees, and invested in 'land conservation projects'. Yet, I don't recall any questions on any 'Resilience Inventory' addressing this issue, nor any of the US CDC/Kaiser ACE 8 or 10 questions addressing "Urban Environments", but I'm certainly thankful for those childhood 'memories' of sitting in an apple tree-in the middle of a wood lot, and elsewhere-being able to see the stars at night, without excessive 'extraneous lighting'. ....

Post
Copyright © 2023, PACEsConnection. All rights reserved.
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×