Abstract

Physical health and mental health disparities are pervasive among urban populations. Societal structures such as urban designs also referred to as “concrete jungles,” can be viewed as contributory factors for these disparities. Many urban areas lack green-ways and access to green spaces which creates external constraints to behaviors that can promote well- being. It has been evidenced that exposures to the natural world have significant health benefits. What is not known is how the use of the Biophilia hypothesis, which asserts that human beings have a natural love or affinity for nature can be used to inform future urban design planning. The continued development of urban communities that are void of green spaces appears to be antithetical to public health goals which aim to improve the psycho-social and the physiological well- being of populations. The goal of this paper is to present a conceptual linkage between the biophilia hypothesis framework and the need for urban planners to rethink the design of urban spaces which can provide a substrate of scaffolding that aids in the building of stronger populations.

Presenters

Tiffiny Shockley
Lead Health Science Faculty Member, Interprofessional Health Studies, Queens University of Charlotte, United States

Tyrone Ceaser
Professor, Kinesiology, Queens University of Charlotte, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

The Physiology, Kinesiology and Psychology of Wellness in its Social Context

KEYWORDS

Biophilia, Urban Redesign, Population Health, Mental Health, Proximity Agency Ecology

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