SANITY AND URBANITY BLOG
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Annalise V Johns, London-based urban designer brings us the latest discussions from some of the most interesting urban design events around London over the last few weeks. Want to share what's being discussed in your city? Email us. The following is a reflection on the topics discussed at two recent London Society event. The first a launch of Professor Richard Sennett’s latest book Building and Dwelling: Ethics for a City, and a talk by Town Planner Colin Wilson, on How to Plan London, all of which took place amid the close of the consultation for the revised publication of the London Plan. Local political challenges aside, global urban trends namely; the unforeseen impact of automation, the complex presence of plastic, the explosive rise in depression and obesity, and thanks to #metoo, a global awakening to the true reality of parity across all thinkable domains and its impact on economies, I am struck by the lack of dimension provided by these thought leaders on how best to shape a city, and one as intricate as London. Professor Sennett, Mr Wilson and the London Plan continue the age old discussions of spatial organisation; greenbelt or not, density or not, and formal or holistic design, however, in light of growing evidence illustrating the impact urbanism is having on the health of all living creatures; these responses seem rather prosaic. The latest revisions to the London Plan liken it to the American Tax system. Its primary focus on “Good Growth” and “doubling the current rate of homebuilding” are devised in a framework to create a London built for sustainable transport and active travel. How possible is this when as Colin Wilson astutely pointed out, of the 180 policies found in the London Plan a mere 30 are used. It is evident from the growing number of inhumane developments being approved in London, policies are not understood and certainly not taken seriously. What is very clear is built environment experts still lack understanding as to the true influence environment has on human health and the London Plan provides no further clarity of this. A recent study published in the Lancet analyses the “salutogenic effects” natural environments have on mental health and how “urbanicity serve as background factors that potentially trigger or amplify suicidal motives.” The study goes on to say analysis carried out in the Netherlands “confirm the mental health-supporting characteristics of {…} natural environments.” More research is needed but there is a growing body of evidence showing the importance materials within the built environment have on various aspects of human health. A fascinating talk was given at the Future City Catapult in London (15.03.2018) on Neuroscience for the Built Environment. Areceli Camargo shared her explorations into the neurological studies of particular materials and its impact on humans. Reflecting on the changing epidemiology by focusing on non-communicable disease as they affect women in particular, is to start with an intention beyond good growth and instead for an outcome with far reaching preventative mechanisms that result in multiple benefits to society including economic growth. Built environment professional are responsible for the communities whose lives are being shaped through design choices, therefore to create designs that do not adhere to the role of preventative health care measures are operating in vacuum. Materials now exist for streets and furniture to absorb pollutants and excesses of noise pollution. The science exists to make cities for complex natural ecosystems to thrive and reverse climate change, therefore to not adopt such approaches to all built environment working practices seems unprofessional. Progress in this area is a matter of leadership and political will, on the one hand, and of proactive and deliberate measures and accountability, on the other. We need more of all that. About the Author
In essence, women friendly cities are those cities where all the residents of that particular city can equally benefit from the financial, social and political opportunities presented before them." Cities should always be planned and designed based on the needs of their users. On International Women's Day, let's think for a moment about the movement towards designing cities that empower women as much as they do men. With women comprising at least half of urban populations, many have pointed out that the disciplines of urban planning and design have historically been dominated by men and consequently, by the male perspective. This is a big topic. This is just a brief overview. Thinking about designing cities 'for' women runs the risk of reinforcing all sorts of unhelpful gender stereotypes. But this isn't about superficial, potentially patronising projects. Effective city design needs to take into account the different patterns that emerge about what different people do in the city, and what they need. In many cases, women and men have similar needs. But research also tells us that males and females do use cities differently, all over the world, and that certain factors associated with being female tend to restrict freedom of movement within the city. Many of these needs gaps, such as caring responsibilities and work patterns, will likely narrow as society moves towards gender equality. But right now around the world, certain urban design and planning factors can create challenges to women's self-esteem and belongingness, and can restrict their likelihood of accessing healthy opportunities in the urban environment, such as access to nature, exercise, or positive social interactions. As such, this is a matter of social justice that affects women's ability to engage in public life. It is fundamental that cities integrate the female perspective in design and planning process, and ensure that genders can benefit equally from services such as transportation, exercise venues, parks, health and social care facilities, and all other aspects of the city. So what's currently stopping them? According to the research, factors associated with gender in urban design and planning seem to be largely divided into two main challenges: accessibility (psychological and physical); and safety. Some examples include: Psychological and physical accessibility
Safety
How this all affects mental health Exclusion, anxiety, fear and marginalisation are detrimental to our mental health. Good design helps people feel included and valued, prevents isolation, and empowers us to access places that can have a protective effect on mental health, such as health facilities, natural parks, places to exercise, or settings to socialise. Feeling able to use the city also helps create feelings of community belongingness and social cohesion. A To-do List starter for cities to deliver urban design that empowers females as it does males
WOMEN-FRIENDLY CITIES ARE CITIES WHERE WOMEN
- Women-Friendly Cities Initiative Note: gender, urban design and mental health is a challenging intersection. This op-ed cannot hope to fully cover its many facets but is intended to inspire thought about the opportunities to design more inclusive and empowering cities. If you want to examine a different angle, please submit to this blog. Read about how urban design can promote good mental health for everyone here About the Author
Early planning practices were predominantly focused on addressing the issues of the postindustrial city. Among these issues was access to clean waterfront spaces. As cities by the sea and large rivers expand and become more dense, access to clean waterfront spaces has become an increasable asset to overall health and public life of cities. Key West is a south Florida town located on an island at the southernmost tip of the continental United States. Naturally much of the island’s public life and overall movement is centered around waterfront spaces or within the ocean itself. The island is among the most densely populated areas in the state. Key West has long been, and continues to be, a haven for immigrant communities, artists, the LGBTQ community and fishermen. Given that it is an extremely demographically diverse town with high density levels, the island serves for a very unique observation on public urban life, specifically public spaces. Among the island’s most iconic public spaces is White Street Pier. The pier is a unique structure that starts at the southern end of the street by the same name and begins at the edge of the sea. The structure stretches into the ocean for several feet, removing itself from the noise pollution of the surplus of motorized vehicles the island possesses. The pier contains at its end an open space with direct proximity to the sea. The pier is lined with benches, walkways, and bike paths; not specifically delineated. The versatility of the space and its proximity to clean ocean water allows for quite a variety of uses in the space. One can observe a variety of activities ranging from fishing, to strolling and skate boarding. Considering that the island’s surface is very small, access to public spaces is limited, enhancing a convergence of many different social demographics within the public realm. The pier becomes an urban oasis from the access to fresh ocean air and lack of noise. The only sounds that can be easily heard are those coming from the sea and those generated from people, adding an additional natural element to the pier. White street pier has a unique form of public space on a grander scale, however the island of Key West is full of public life by the sea. Given the overwhelming impact that urbanized areas have on people's access to silent spaces and natural amenities, a piers and other waterside walkways can be helpful in neutralizing the overstimulating effects of urban noise pollution and contributing to the overall mental health of a city. Key West’s small roads and plentiful bike lanes offer a pedestrian and bike-friendly environment. In addition, the island boasts plentiful bike trails which are completely free of car traffic allowing for the easy movement of people. The walkway is also used as a major bike route connecting the island. The city government of Key West has led a variety of initiatives advocating for the use of bikes instead of cars and other sustainable modes of transportation. Cycle Free Key West is an initiative started by the city’s planning department as a means of promoting the use of the bike as a healthy, safe and fast alternative mode of transportation on the island in addition to promoting walkability and other sustainable modes of transit throughout the island. The waterside walkway serves as a major sustainable and healthy means of transportation and is frequently used by locals and tourists alike. The ocean gives one a sense of peace that is often not present in urban environments. The citizens of this busy seaside town are lucky enough to enjoy this. Furthermore, given that physical health and mental health go hand in hand urban planning initiatives that promote physical activities are of the utmost importance. About the Author
For #WorldBookDay we asked our UD/MH fellows and other Twitter followers which books they would recommend that are relevant to the nexus of urban design and mental health. Behold: your UD/MH reading list. We hope you find some of these enjoyable.
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I also recommend Urban Alchemy: Restoring Joy in America's Sorted-Out Cities and Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America, And What We Can Do About It, both by Mindy Fullilove @mindphul
— UrbanDesignMH (@urbandesignmh) March 2, 2018
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EVERY book about urban design is relevant to mental health □
— Ben Hockman (@BAHockman) March 1, 2018
Hi Alice, please tell us all about Playing Out Playing Out – the organisation – is run by a small team of four based in Bristol, but the UK-wide movement we support now involves several thousand active parents and residents working to change things in their own streets, neighbourhoods and cities. Over 600 streets across 60 local authority areas have been involved so far, and the movement is growing. As a not-for-profit organisation, we mainly rely on grants to fund our activities and the support we provide to residents. Currently our main funders are Esmee Fairburn and the Tudor Trust. |
Sarah Willson is a UD/MH Associate. She is a graduate of human geography from UCL. After taking such a broad degree, picking a main interest proved difficult, but her current focus is the connection between active transport and urban wellbeing. @pseudoswede_ |
Andre Williams is a Panamanian and American undergraduate student currently working on his BA in Urban Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He is a UD/MH Associate. His main interests include architecture, urban public spaces, and urban sociology. In addition, he would like to research the effects the built environment has on the moods and behaviors of urban inhabitants. |
Dr. Hongwei Dong is an Associate Professor in city and regional planning at the California State University, Fresno. His research interests include healthy and smart cities, housing affordability and equity, as well as land use and transportation. The results of his studies are published in top international journals such as Journal of the American Planning Association, Journal of Planning Education and Research, Landscape and Urban Planning, Urban Studies, etc. He is now leading a NSF funded project to study how to plan an integrated active travel and green infrastructure system for mental wellbeing in disadvantaged communities through crowdsourcing technology. |
Dr Kevin Lau is an environmental scientist and urban climatologist from the Institute of Future Cities and CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research interest focuses on the relationship between urban climate and human thermal comfort in outdoor environment. He also conducted studies on the effect of the built environment on a variety of elderly health outcomes. Findings of his studies contribute to better planning and design of outdoor spaces in high-density cities and encouraging physical activity and enhancing the health and well-being of urban inhabitants. |
Reading, seeing, thinking and doing urban design to improve mental health.
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