Urban Design in Humanitarian Emergencies - World Mental Health Day 2025

Author: Erin Sharp Newton

Photo: Denniz Futalan

When cities are destroyed by disasters, when people are displaced, and when divisive uncertainty fractures the landscape of humanity, the human response is fear, desperation, disconnectedness, grief, and trauma.  In collective compassion and collaborative commitment, society can invest in strength, spirit, and substance to support the needs of all those facing such traumas. By embedding spaces and systems into our cities that provide refuge, recovery, and healing, we create environments that nurture both individuals and communities.

Photo: Kelly (Pexels)

The Urgency of Mental Health in Crisis

​This year's 2025 World Mental Health Day theme, "Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies," underscores the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of people affected by crises. Natural disasters, conflict, and public health emergencies leave deep emotional + neurological + psychological imprints.
 
At the Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health, we focus on how environments profoundly shape mental health outcomes, particularly in contexts of recovery and resilience. Just as cities can negatively impact mental health and well-being, they can also be intentionally designed to restore safety, foster connection, and nurture psychological resilience.

Photo: Josh Fields

Insights from the Centre's Work

​The Centre's Journal for Urban Design and Mental Health and Sanity + Urbanity Forum are curated to provide valuable insights into urban design and mental health. The work of our large network of people invested in this space reflects a growing recognition that the physical and social fabric of cities plays a central role not only in fostering mental well-being but also in enabling recovery after disruption.
 
The following examples are just some examples that illustrate how researchers, practioners, and stakeholders have approached this challenge.  These examples offer evidence, precedent, and reflection on how the built environment can become both a site of vulnerability and a source of healing:

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Image: Old Montreal. Photograph by Maria Elena Zuñiga

Urban Design for Mental Health in Montreal, Canada: This case study examines how Montreal approaches urban design for mental health, identifying principles such as access to nature and social interactions that contribute to positive mental health outcomes. The study also highlights barriers to implementing these principles, including a lack of awareness among urban design professionals and city policymakers about mental health. Read more

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Image: Concentration of restaurant choices in Washington, D.C. Source: WalkScore.com

Urban Design and Mental Health in Washington, DC: This study focuses on urban design and planning contributions to inequalities in Washington, DC, and provides recommendations for creating environments that support mental health. It emphasizes the importance of green spaces, active places, pro-social places, and safe places in promoting mental well-being. Read more

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Image by artist: Ryoji Noritake

Urban Design and Mental Health in Tokyo: This case study examines how Tokyo applies key principles of urban design for good mental health and identifies recommendations for other cities. It highlights the importance of design for community mental health as an integral aspect of supporting good mental health and recovery from mental health challenges. Read more

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Image: 1950’s Charlotte, Destruction of Homes in the Second Ward versus Urban Renewal Construction // The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Story/Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library (“Destruction of the Second Ward”)

Root Shock in Charlotte: This article discusses the mental health impacts of urban displacement in Charlotte, emphasizing the need for inclusive urban development that considers the mental health of displaced communities. It advocates for the provision of green spaces and facilities for physical activity and pro-social interaction as part of urban planning. Read more

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Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Image Source: Revival of American Community Book Cover, by Robert D. Putnam

Lonelitopia: How Urbanism of Mass Destruction is Undermining Mental Health: This piece explores how urban design can contribute to social isolation and mental health issues. It calls for a reevaluation of urban planning to foster social connections and community resilience. Read more

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Image: Smog in Beijing (2014). Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Air Pollution, Mental Health, and Implications for Urban Design: This paper reviews the current evidence for the contribution of outdoor air pollution to the burden of mental disorders and considers how this relationship might influence urban design objectives toward creating a mentally healthy environment. Read more

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The ruins of a bombed hotel on Image: Trebevic, a former popular recreation area near Sarajevo. Photo by Sophie Gleizes.

The Importance of Urban Design in Helping Heal TraumaScapes: This forum post highlights how geographical frameworks offer valuable insights into how place and space affect the well-being of city residents, helping us understand emotional and psychological responses to places and their significance for well-being. Read more

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A Call to Collaboration in Crisis

​As we observe World Mental Health Day 2025, let us reflect on the role of urban environments in shaping mental health outcomes during humanitarian emergencies. It is essential for everyone (including architects, planners, scientists, developers, government officials, health and social care providers, school staff, and community groups) to come together. Through collective, collaborative, compassionate, pro-active and pro-social work, we can ensure the most vulnerable have access to the support they need while protecting the well-being of everyone.

If you are looking to contribute to this ongoing dialogue, consider submitting your work to our platforms:

• Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health (JUDMH): We have an Open Call for Submissions for the peer-reviewed, indexed, open-access journal, inviting research, essays, and reflections exploring how design supports mental health in contexts of crisis, displacement, and recovery.​
• Sanity & Urbanity Forum: We also welcome contributions to our Sanity & Urbanity Forum, for practice-based pieces that capture the intersection of mental health, place, and lived experience.
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Consider your part in developing cities that not only withstand crises but also heal and empower their inhabitants.

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Photo: Ludwig Kwan

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Global Resources & History: World Mental Health Day
 
World Mental Health Day has been observed on 10 October since 1992, launched by the World Federation for Mental Health in partnership with the WHO, to advance awareness, reduce stigma, and galvanize advocacy for mental health globally.

• The WHO’s official campaign page gives key facts, past themes, and toolkits for global action.  We have used those themes and hope you will as well:​   
  • World Health Organization
  • WHO – World Mental Health Day (Campaign page & toolkits)

• The United Nations also frames 2025’s theme: “Access to services: mental health in catastrophes and emergencies” emphasizes safeguarding mental health amid crises and ensuring service continuity.  At the United Nations, events and activities are organized each year during the month of October to promote the importance of mental health and well-being. For more information about how to get involved please see: 
  • United Nations
  • UN – World Mental Health Day 2025 “Access to Services”

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References
 
Burkly, H. (2019). Washington, D.C., USA: An urban design and mental health case study. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health, 6(13). Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health.
 
King, J. (2018). Air pollution, mental health, and implications for urban design: A review. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health, 4(6). Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health. https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal-4---air-pollution-and-mental-health.html 
 
McCay, L., Suzuki, E., & Chang, A. (2017). Urban design and mental health in Tokyo: A city case study. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health, 3(4). Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health. https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal-3---tokyo-case-study.html
 
Palti, I. (Ed.). (2016). Conscious cities. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health, 1. Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health.
 
Shafique, T. (2017). Lonelitopia: How urbanism of mass destruction is crushing the American dream. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health, 2. Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health. https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/edition-2.html 
 
Ward, K., & Sharp Newton, E. (2018). Applying the concept of Root Shock to urban renewal plans for Charlotte’s Marshall Park. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health, 5. Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health. https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/edition-5.html
 
Gleizes, S. (2016). The digitalization of traumascapes. Journal of Urban Design & Mental Health*1(6). Centre for Urban Design & Mental Health. https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal1-digitaltraumascapes.html