The Psychological Effects of Urban Design

Abstract

Regardless if we are aware of it or not, our mental wellbeing is being directly affected by our surroundings - the built environment. Certain styles of buildings, the layout of streets, and the provision of green spaces are altering our psychology subconsciously. There are several ways in which cities can encourage better mental wellbeing by considering better urban design. During an age where it is becoming increasingly important to comprehend the impacts of poor mental health, an opportunity utilizing urban planning can help contribute to a healthier mental state overall. This paper seeks to present the various ways cities can utilize urban design to help improve the mental health of its citizens, and a case study from Tokyo, Japan is analyzed. The paper is written from an urban planning perspective; however, it also includes a brief introduction to the psychological background on how exactly our minds are affected by the built environment. “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.”- Winston Churchill