Health and Wellness
The quality of design and architecture in the city has a decisive influence on its residents' health and wellness. A well-designed space can encourage people to engage in and enjoy physical activity, which reduces the risk of illnesses. Environments with obvious landmarks, clear wayfinding, and a good balance of built features and natural spaces can help create a feeling of wellness, contribute to decreased anxiety, and improve quality of life for people struggling with mental issues.*
How can design and architecture contribute to enhancing the health and wellness of users and communities?
By taking an interest in users' emotional wellness
- Providing abundant, democratized access to natural light and views, as a priority in spaces used by the largest numbers of people, for long periods.
- Drawing inspiration from biophilic interior design principles (integration of natural features and materials) and providing access to green spaces of various types and scales.
- Designing workspaces that respond to the needs of as many people as possible and provide flexible and adaptable furniture.
- Limiting sources of sensory stress and other irritability factors.
By taking an interest in users' physical wellness
- Providing spaces, facilities and amenities that encourage movement and active travel.
- Ensuring thermal comfort throughout all four seasons, both indoors and in furnished outdoor spaces.
- Encouraging healthy eating habits and access to quality drinking water.
By reducing health and safety hazards
- Limiting exposure to volatile organic compounds, allergens, pollutants and viruses and thereby ensuring good indoor and outdoor air quality.
- Avoiding the use of materials and substances that pose potential or proven short- or long-term health risks.
- Minimizing user exposure to noise, light and odour pollution.
- Mitigating risks and nuisances in the vicinity of the project (e.g., railroad tracks, high-voltage lines, overhead lines, electromagnetic fields).
By providing safe sites and facilities
- Providing safe access to and use of sites in all seasons, day and night.
- Minimizing users' vulnerability to mischief and crime (e.g., proper lighting, avoiding recessed areas).
- Minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries, including those related to unintended (and unsafe) use of spaces.
By contributing to users' fulfilment
- Creating spaces where users feel welcome and at home.
- Encouraging user self-assertiveness and engagement (e.g., committees, interest groups).
- Developing awareness of and empowering users (e.g., responsibility for operations or maintenance, responsibility for activity programs, mentoring or sponsorship).