In a widely reported article in Wired magazine titled “Boring cities are bad for your health”, American journalists took an interest in modern city architecture and its impact on our well-being.
It is true that a lot of work has been done on this subject and all are moving in the same direction. With the expansion of large cities, we are witnessing an alarming increase in cases of depression, cancer, diabetes, etc.
A large-scale study, published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Healthreveals the significant impact of green and blue spaces on mental health, particularly in deprived areas. This research, carried out on more than 2 million adults in Wales over 10 years, constitutes the most comprehensive assessment to date on the subject.
The results speak for themselves: each additional 360 meters separating an individual from a green space (park, wooded area, etc.) or blue space (lake, sea, etc.) increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
Naturally, spending time in the calm of green spaces allows you to gain peace of mind. On the contrary, pollution, noise but also stress and a sedentary lifestyle accentuate cognitive decline, weaken memory, promote excess weight, etc.
Combining architecture and human well-being
The Wired article cites Danish architect Jan Gehl, who became famous for his more human vision of urban architecture. In his work “Cities for people”, he proposes to refocus urban planning on the needs and perspectives of human beings.
For him, we must develop city streets and squares based on the senses, sight, touch, hearing… But also ban cars, make transport more equitable.
And this vision works! Recently, Public Health France published a report relating to the actions undertaken in this direction by three metropolises, Rouen, Montpellier and Lille. Result: mortality could be reduced by 3 to 7% by making cities more green.
And this by mitigating exposure to environmental stressors, encouraging people to move more, creating social bonds, etc.
Source : https://www.wired.com/story/boring-cities-are-bad-for-your-health/ – https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00212-7/fulltext
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