RESEARCH

There is an increasing amount of research being undertaken in urban design and mental health. This page highlights some of the effective research methods potential researchers may wish to consider when designing their projects.

Evaluating the urban environment

Tools for objective measurement:

• The Residential Environment Assessment Tool (REAT)
  
• The Built Environment Assessment Tool (BEAT)
  
• The University of Miami Built Environment Coding System (UMBECS) 
  
• Systematic Social Observation (SSO)
  
• The Built Environment Site Survey Checklist (BESSC)
  
• GIS measurements, eg. traffic volume, neighborhood green space, neighborhood walkability score, land use mix
  

Evaluating mental health

Tools for objective measurement:

• CES-D score (depression)
  
• GHQ (measure of the common mental health problems/domains of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms and social withdrawal)
  
• Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
  
• Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) (measure of 'minor psychiatric disorders' in the community)
  
• Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory