URBAN DESIGN AND

MENTAL HEALTH FOR

HAPPY CITIES

By

KISHEOUN A/L SATHIAMOORTHI

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M Arch

Leicester School of Architecture

De Montfort University

2020

1|Page
ARCH 5013

Comprehensive Dissertation

URBAN DESIGN AND MENTAL

HEALTH FOR HAPPY CITIES

NAME : KISHEOUN A/L SATHIAMOORTHI

PNUMBER : P2620398

Session 2020-2021

2|Page
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY

I confirm by submitting this work for assessment that I am its sole author, and that all quotations, summaries or
extracts from published sources have been correctly referenced. I confirm that this work, in whole or in part, has
not been previously submitted for any other award at this or any other institution.

3|Page
4|Page
 Abstract

The term “Happiness” is a highly individualized experience. The definition cannot be

described in a single way. Happiness has a variety of meanings for many individuals. It could
refer to mental condition for some, or a way of life for others. “Buildings are key components
in the fabric of cities”, as stressed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Intervention offers ways to reduce environmental effects while also contributing to the
achievement of sustainable development goals. This paper aims to discuss on how physical
stimuli affects citizens in the built environment which dives deep into the true definition of
happiness and enveloping it with human well-being. The research gathered shared common
interest in the subject of emotions in human being in relationship with health and the built
environment. Additionally, it gathers information from multiple journals, reports, literature,
articles, blogs, books, and case studies, thus analyzing it on multiple philosophical and
psychological perspective.

Methodology

The dissertation is motivated by the following research questions :-

- MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN

- THE EFFECT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT WITH SUBJECTIVE WELL

BEING

- HOW THE FORM OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTS CAN SHAPE OUR MENTAL

HEALTH

- URBAN DESIGN FOR YOUNG AND THE OLD

5|Page
ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS

This research paper would not have been possible without the help and support of a few
amazing souls. Firstly, to my pillars of strength, I would like to thank my parents and my
sister for constantly motivating me throughout this whole semester even though , not going to
lie, this year really took a toll on me , from all kinds of aspects from falling really ill,
computer software crashing on me, fracturing my foot, and many more . The feeling of giving
up was up in my mind a couple of times but I managed push through because of all the
support and love from everyone who help me during this duration.

Next, I would like to thank my supervisor, Mr., Yuri Abdul Hadi, professor at the faculty of
master’s in architecture, University of De Montfort, Leicester for supporting me and guiding
me throughout the whole semester in order to further enhance my dissertation. Your support
and advice have been extremely crucial in further developing on my dissertation and
completing it. Thank you for constructively pushing me to strive for the best in my work
output.

I would also like to thank my uncle , Dr. Mohan , professor at The University of Sunderland,
Newcastle, which is an astonishing mentor and motivator. Thank you for taking the time in
going through my essay and providing me plenty of structural writing advice on further
enhancing my dissertation and constructively criticizing my writing and providing feedbacks
and constant motivation.

Furthermore, I would like to thank Mr. Jason Eyre , guest writer that has helped me through
online platforms such as zoom calls. Thank you for providing me with constructive feedback
on writing methods and tips on my dissertation and a secondhand opinion. Writing concepts
such as the Colored bucket concept and many other essay approaching studies explained by
Mr. Jason has really helped me with the structural flow of my essay

Lastly , a big thank you to my mates , Mr. Smeet Patel, and Mr. Yan Naing for helping me in
the sense of motivational support both in my professional and personal life. Those late-night
coffee /study sessions and making sure that I was getting adequate sleep and proper
mealtimes really helped me through all this. My whole university lockdown experience
would not have been enjoyable without you guys.

6|Page
Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... 8

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 1: MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN .......................................................................... 11
1.1 ROLES URBAN PLANNING PLAYS IN RELATION TO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH ........................... 12
1.2 PUBLIC AREA AND STREETSCAPES IN RELATION TO THE WELLNESS OF THE MIND ................ 15
CHAPTER 2: THE EFFECT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONEMNT WITH SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING .................. 19
2.1 DEFINING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ........................................................................................ 19
2.2 PANDEMIC .................................................................................................................................. 21
2.3 DESIGN AND WELL-BEING .......................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 3: HOW THE FORM OF URBAN ENVIRONMENT SHAPES OUR MENTAL HEALTH ............... 29
3.1 TRANSPORTATION AND MENTAL HEATH .................................................................................. 29
3.2 SAFER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT ................................ 30
3.3 STREET PERCEPTION ................................................................................................................... 32
3.4 CASE STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF SMELL ON PEOPLES EXPERIENCE ........................................ 33
3.5 COPENHAGEN CASE STUDIES ON PHYSICAL STIMULI THAT AMPLIFIES HAPPINESS IN URBAN
SPACES .............................................................................................................................................. 38
3.6 COPENHAGEN SECRETS .............................................................................................................. 41
3.8 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................................ 43
CHAPTER 4 URBAN DESIGN FOR YOUNG AND THE OLD ..................................................................... 44
4.1 MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN FOR CHILDREN ............................................................ 44
4.2 MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN FOR THE ELDERLY ....................................................... 46
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................ 52
Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 53

7|Page
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 mind the GAPS framework...................................................................................................... 12

Figure 2 A public space in Turin, Italy that invites guest to a secure green city pedestrian area, with
accommodating food and traffic separation, allowing leisure and social encounters ......................... 16
Figure 3 A street in Quito, Ecuador where the wall serves little to no purpose in engagement with
the streetscape. .................................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 4 Before and after streetscape improvement of road lanes, bike paths and crosswalk on Philo
Road in Urbana, Illinois ......................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 5 Fountain houses in ancient Greece for providing clean water to the citizens and also acts as
a meeting point ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 6 Tree-lined Avenue in Omotesando, Japan .............................................................................. 24
Figure 7 Common Mental disorders in adults from age 16-64 ............................................................. 25
Figure 8 Korail slum settlement in the city center of Dhaka, Bangladesh. ........................................... 26
Figure 9 Image elevation of Stretto House derived from nodes from music ....................................... 28
Figure 10 A well-lit street in contra to a not well-lit street .................................................................. 31
Figure 11 Well maintained and unmaintained neighbourhood ........................................................... 32
Figure 12 Urban smellscape aroma wheel ............................................................................................ 35
Figure 13 Image location of Copenhagen ............................................................................................. 38
Figure 14 Global ranking chart of cities ................................................................................................ 39
Figure 15 A mother and her child using a cargo bike. A quarter of Copenhagen families own one. .. 40
Figure 16 Measures used to reduce traffic and to make it a more people friendly city centre. .......... 41
Figure 17 People of Copenhagen making use of the public space provided ........................................ 41
Figure 18 Copenhagen Habour Bath, Denmark .................................................................................... 42
Figure 19 Play and learning environment for children ......................................................................... 45
Figure 20 Salient vs non-Salient environment ...................................................................................... 50

8|Page
URBAN DESIGN AND MENTAL
HEALTH FOR HAPPY CITIES

INTRODUCTION

Homo Sapiens differ from the other species on this planet. We, humans have developed the
cognitive skills to actively question and seek knowledge about everything and anything. In
particular, the source of happiness has been an ongoing endeavour. Indeed, the central tenet
of various disciplines including philosophy, psychology, theology is how humans can achieve
happiness here on planet earth and in the case of theology eternal happiness.

Albeit, attaining a steady state of happiness has proven to be elusive (considering the cycle of
life and death) and incredibly hard to measure. As stated by Aristotle, ‘happiness’ is divided
into two aspects which is the Hedonic and Eudaimonia which basically translates to pleasure
and meaning. With this, scientist has made a tremendous efforts and progress into finding the
true definition and meaning of happiness. Consequently, it is assumed that happiness is not
just a goal for one to just aim for, but in return it is a philosophy that applies to the concept of
life and living itself. We humans can spend an eternity looking for happiness, oblivious to the
fact that the very secret to it lies in our own two hands to make our entire lives happy

People who are happy tend to be more social, altruistic, and active in general. They are more
likely to love themselves more as well as others. Their immune systems are stronger, they
have healthier bodies and are better at settling disputes or conflicts. Placemaking plays an
important role in the world which one lives in, and it is an acute entity that encases happiness,
and happiness and architecture are directly complementary towards each other. The design of
the external environment directly influences the very quality of life and well-being in the long
term for any individual.

9|Page
METHOLODGY

This literature discusses key opportunities for smart urban design, the effect urban
environment plays with subjective wellbeing, how the form of our urban environment plays a
role in shaping our mental health and finally urban design in parallel to the young and the old,
in order to help promote good mental health, prevent illness, and support people who have
mental health challenges.

OBJECTIVE

Mental health care and design are the subject of this literature in this article, in order to make
a contribution to this field, as well as aid other mental health researchers, architects, and
clinical

10 | P a g e
CHAPTER 1: MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN

The awareness and issues of urban public health is spreading and gaining more attention
beyond its urban practitioners and into the purview of all city makers. Architects, designers,
engineers, urban planners, and other individuals in the industry are progressively discovering
that in order to satisfy the population requirements, the cities that we live in must be
constructed in ways that promote a finer improved public health. There is an abundance of
urban planning projects that aims to promote physical health such as incorporating physical
exercises into city life to improve cardiovascular health and reduce obesity or combating the
quality of air to reduce respiratory problems. There are useful evidence-based guidelines for
city makers to refer to in order to make recommendations on what they can do to consistently
do to improve the health of the population, but even with these guidelines and
recommendations, the objective is often focused too much on only one element of health
which is physical health.

Yes, it is positively agreed in this essay that physical health is an essential part of Urban
design and planning, but it is not sufficient. Furthermore, Mental health also plays a
significant role in architecture. This is proven with a research done by Collin Ellard who
specialised in the psychological impact of design at the University of Waterloo in Canada.
“When we ask people about their stress, they say it is no big deal, yet when we measure their
physiology, we discover that their responses are off the charts. The difficulty is that your
physiological state is the one that impacts your health. “A thorough examination of these
psychological states may offer light on how city planning impacts our bodies. Every
individual interacts and responds in deep ways to their physical settings. The linkage between
Architecture and mental health are so closely link, for example, just observe someone’s
behaviour when placed in luxurious house of worship, as compared to the same individual
when there visiting a conventional store. However, no one is more vulnerable to the
environment than individuals suffering from mental illness. This is proven with a study
conducted by the global burden of disease which attributes to an increase of mental and
substance use by 37.6% between 1990 to 2010, whereby a large percentage of it is due to
population growth and aging (Whiteford et al. 2013). These figures may be even higher when
it comes to city dwellers. It is seen that when compared to rural areas, the incident of

11 | P a g e
depression has climbed almost 40%, the risk of anxiety increases by more than 20% and the
danger linked to schizophrenia doubles (Peen et al. 2010).

The fundamental qualities of cities would easily put to blame for the increasing correlations
discovered between city living and mental health. As stated by Layla McCay in her research
publication of Urban Design and Mental Health, “Many factors that contributes to an
individual to develop a mental health problem directly links to a person living in a
metropolis. Many individuals with a history of mental illness gravitates to the city in search
of better prospects, such as economic opportunities, housing, social support, and health care,
especially mental healthcare”.

1.1 ROLES URBAN PLANNING PLAYS IN RELATION TO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

There is a vast number of research which are being conducted to investigate how urban
planning and design may assist to minimize risk factors and contribute to improved mental
health in cities. The framework called “Mind the GAPS”, created by The Centre for Urban
Design has considered a method that enables designers and developers to promote mental
health in their projects. This approach focuses on policy thinking and practical planning to
assist professionals in promoting good mental health. This framework illustrates 4 design
principles which consist of: Green place, Active place, Pro-social space, and finally, Safety
and security.

Figure 1 mind the GAPS framework

12 | P a g e
 1) ACCESIBILITY TO GREEN SPACES

Green spaces which are usually constructed as parks, gardens, or a vegetation area in an
urban setting are important aspects that seems to help improve and maintain health and well-
being. However, merely integrating some green space into a design and moving on is not
enough.

Three main theories compete and contribute to explain the favourable effect. The Biophilia
Theory (1993) of Edward Wilson claims that human beings have a saturated biologic need
when we make interaction with other animals. In contrast, the Theory of Stress Reduction
(1981) by Roger Ulrich states that the aesthetics of a natural environment may be appreciated
and that green areas are at a certain distance from everyday pressures. Finally, the Theory of
Attention Restoration, (1995) by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan suggests that natural
environments attract individuals without the requirement for concentration that is typical for
the unnatural. In truth, these ideas probably all play a part in the advantages of mental health
for individuals from access to green space.

But adding some green space to a design and just assuming it can improve mental health is
not enough. Unreachable or poorly managed green areas which feel unpleasant, or menacing
may inhibit their utilisation and thus their advantages. Likewise, green areas should be
created to make the whole variety of the town's people more inclusive and welcoming rather
than monopolised by specific groups.

If proper planning and attention is not taken accountable, green spaces may become places of
fear where dark corners, poor view lines, and hidden entrances can encourage anti-social
actions and create bullying that detracts from potential green space users especially if others
feel uncertain, like drug users and addicts.

2) ACTIVATION OF ACTIVE SPACES

While parks may be used as exercise places, more smaller design interventions such as
accessible walkways to promote walks and also bicycle trails in the city can also create active
spaces. According to Leyla McCay, the Director of Centre for Urban Design Mental Health,
“activities” are one of the most significant mental health options. So much so, that

13 | P a g e
incorporating an exercise schedule in your daily routine may be just as beneficial as taking
anti-depressant pills. In addition, it can truncate stress and solicitousness, and avail alleviate
some of the symptoms associated with ADHD, dementia, and even schizophrenia.

Key opportunity that designers can take to improve mental health are to devise active
transport alternative, including safe, easy biking and bike lanes that will take advantage not
just of the advantages of exercise, but also of reducing stressful, sedentary commutes.

3) PRO-SOCIAL SPACES

The importance of prosocial spaces and mental health is directly linked to strong social links
and social capital. US sociologist Eric Klingenberg calls such spaces "social infrastructure" –
common areas in which people interact, connect, and build a feeling of community. For this
reason, designers have great opportunity to innovate, to create features inside projects that
enable good, safe, natural relationships between people. This includes methods such as
providing flexible public areas (including participation and service possibilities), street
furniture for relaxation and discussion, and admission orientation to encourage social
greeting. It also involves avoiding lengthy, unchangeable façades that stretch over city blocks
to encourage the thinking of people or cities which favour the usage of vehicles over
footpaths.

4) SAFETY AND SECURITY

This element of the framework is aimed at establishing a secure or safe atmosphere that
contributes to the mental well-being of the individuals. People feel safe when their city has a
lot to offer. On the other hand, constant low-level threats can maintain the body in a
customary abnormal condition in the city that can influence mood and stress over the long
run. This relevant threat includes risk from traffic, getting lost (particularly pertinent for those
with dementia, where this risk can limit their independence and thus their quality of life), and
risk posed by other individuals (such as being robbed). Adequate street lighting and
monitoring, distinctive landmarks that help dementia individuals traverse their areas and
people-centred residential, business and industry roads are ideal examples. A balanced
approach is nevertheless needed: A secure environment may increase accessibility and

14 | P a g e
comfort, but risk-averse urban design may decrease action opportunities and the sense of
organisational and decision-making of people.

These 4 elements stated above are vital contributions to the mental well-being of the urban
community. The key goal of the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health was to provide a
linkage between health and design professionals to find evidence-based design possibilities to
enhance people's mental health. Well-meaning considerations now do not necessarily
translate completely into the built environment. In the planning and design process of the
built environment, it is necessary to promote mental well-being. In order to do this, concerns
of mental wellbeing must be clearly included into the design standards, rules, and legislation.

1.2 PUBLIC AREA AND STREETSCAPES IN RELATION TO THE WELLNESS OF THE MIND

There is a crucial potential for urban designers to improve mental health in the community
through streetscapes. Streetscape is a phrase 'that describes the natural and constructed fabric
of the street and defines it as the street's design quality and aesthetic effect’. It can help create
a more diverse transportation system, generating more appealing urban settings, and
incorporating specific design aspects. This encompasses the features of wider sidewalks,
bicycle lanes, bus pull-outs, and improved on-street parking design, and other complete
streets design features. The potential for their impact on public mental health is important, as
most of the cities are exposed to street scenery every day.

15 | P a g e
Figure 2 A public space in Turin, Italy that invites guest to a secure green city pedestrian area, with accommodating food
and traffic separation, allowing leisure and social encounters

(Photo Courtesy of Torino Stratosferica)

STREETSCAPES WITH NO GAME

Another important factor to consider is boring streetscapes. Jan Gehl, a Danish urbanist,
discovered in 2006 that individuals go faster in front of blank facades; as compared to an
open, dynamic façade, people are less likely to halt or even turn their heads in such situations.
The pedestrians get down and attempt to walk across the awful monotony of the road till
they get up to the other side and perhaps discover something more fascinating. In the words
of Gehl, a decent city street must be planned so that the average walker may find an
intriguing new sight approximately once every five seconds, going around 5 kilometres per
hour. Long and unchanging facades, such as office blocks or the monolithic walls of shops
that are unchanging for many metres, can adversely affect mental well-being of individuals
by creating boredom and promoting negative ruminations, limiting social opportunities, and
reducing the interests of and ability to interact with their environment. According to

16 | P a g e
Merrifield and Danckert in their research article, Characterizing the psychophysiological
signature of boredom (2013), “exposure to even a brief, boring experience is enough to alter
the brain and body chemistry in such ways to produce stress. While further study may
improve our current situation, many urban planners view these characteristics as “significant”
to positive human interactions in regard to mental health.

Figure 3 A street in Quito, Ecuador where the wall serves little to no purpose in engagement with the streetscape.

(Photo Courtesy of Jaime Izurieta-Varea )

OPEN PUBLIC AREA

The interrelation between the connection of people through nature may be linked through
properly designed open public spaces. A study from Australia found that neighbourhood
inhabitants with good public space had a lower risk of psychological discomfort and that the
quality is crucial to generate both positive social interactions and community activities but

17 | P a g e
also a relaxing location (Francis et al. 2012). However, bear in mind that attention must be
given into when designing places like this to avoid public places to end up being placed in the
context of criminal activity, intimidation or abuse that limits their usage and adverse impacts
on the mental health of people.

Figure 4 Before and after streetscape improvement of road lanes, bike paths and crosswalk on Philo Road in Urbana, Illinois

18 | P a g e
 CHAPTER 2: THE EFFECT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONEMNT WITH
SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING

According to Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s publication of Nudge: Improving health,
wealth, and happiness, published in 2008 was influential in reveling that behavior of the
people are greatly influenced by context. People can be shaped into making better choices
and decisions in largely automatic non-coercive and easy ways through simply changing what
Thaler and Sunstein’s refers to as “choice architecture”. Is it possible for architects to create
“choice architecture” one may ask? “Designed-led approaches in architecture can make better
decisions easier or constrain behaviors by making certain actions more difficult,” according
to the authors. It is widely known that the form of buildings and cities is commonly believed
to contribute to drastic improvements in behavior, increased levels of satisfaction, and
enhanced social contact. Research according to the (Health Community Design , 2010), states
that the built environment includes all the physical parts of one’s home and workplace. It also
has a strong impact on a person’s level of physical activity. This statement is also defended by
Montgomery in his publication, (Happy City, 2013), where he strongly believes that “A
happy city is a green zero-carbon city that can protect us”.

2.1 DEFINING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

The definition of health and well-being over time has been changing and always will be.
When you consider a more holistic concept of health, it is the physical, mental, social, and
emotional aspects that makes you realize just how Architecture and Well-being inextricably
go hand in hand with each other. There are plenty of evidence which proximately shows that
building designs responded to health issues well before our current COVID-19 pandemic.
Early modernist architects have boldly embraced glass, straight lines, and access to outdoor
spaces because they claimed that light and air were the best therapy for tuberculosis.
However, according to architectural historian, Mohammad Gharipour in his article,’ Building
Health: The Link Between Architecture and Well-being, he states that the concept of
designing for well-being dates back to the very earliest structures. For example, the Ancient
Greeks in Europe placed an emphasis on the social and emotional aspects in their designs.

19 | P a g e
The Romans were the ones who took urban infrastructure more seriously by seeking ways to
provide clean drinking water and sanitation to their citizens. It is a technique that can be seen
virtually in the history of every culture.

Figure 5 Fountain houses in ancient Greece for providing clean water to the citizens and also acts as a meeting point

Image source:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fountains_in_Greece

20 | P a g e
2.2 PANDEMIC

One may ask, how can the ongoing health crisis impact architectural design? Well before the
pandemic, the economy was booming along and people were working hard therefore the
emphasis of many architectural projects was intended to find ways for people, to disconnect
“says Adam Winig, architect and co-owner of Arcsine in California.” But a lot of that was
done indoors and the way we approached spacing was totally different. Currently, the people
of today want to introduce a much stronger sense of well-being as well as improved sense of
sanitary safety.

2.3 DESIGN AND WELL-BEING

Beyond the architectural criteria of sustainable structures, the relationship between

architecture and health has traditionally gained little considerations. Recent study has
improved this, creating a more systematic view of the role of architecture in relation to
health. In the United Kingdom, for example is the publication of report by the (Government
Office for Science , 2008) which describes the correlation between mental capital and mental
well-being. The report claims that an individual’s emotional capital and emotional well-being
have a significant impact on their journey through life. Furthermore, they are critical to the
stable functioning of households, communities, and societies. They have a significant impact
on behavioral aspects, socials integration and our wellbeing. Moreover, the report strongly
suggests 5 ways for an individual to improve mental well-being,

21 | P a g e
 1) Connect: - With the ones u hold close or surrounded with. Relatives, friends,
employers, neighbors all play an important role in your mental well-being. Look at
them as cornerstones of your life and dedicate your time in improving and developing
them. Building these relationships will help enrich you on a daily basis.

2) Keep Active: - Take a stroll or even go for a run. Stop staying indoors. Venture into a
variety of activities that you enjoy and most importantly makes you happy. Exercising
is an amazing way to boost endorphins levels which results in improvement of moods.

3) Take Notice: - Being inquisitive. Always be vigilant in the present and aware with our
thoughts and feelings. This act is proven to significantly help with individuals
enduring symptoms of depressions and anxiety.

4) Keep Learning: - Always be inquisitive. Question yourself the “unusual” or in fact

everything. Enjoy the very moment in life, even when you are on your way to work.
Recent studies have shown that involvement in music, arts or even cooking, has
proven to significantly increase subjective well-being among individuals.

5) Give: - The act of giving or an even a friendly gesture for friend or a stranger. Offer
your time as a volunteer. Gestures like these are directly linked to happiness within
oneself and a wider community. Connections and bonds that are formed through these
are proven to foster immensely satisfying interactions and connections with the
people around you.

The next step is to critically discuss how these 5 ways stated above are subjectively related
and influence by the built environment.

CONNECT

Public spaces play a critical role in facilitating the exchange of ideas, friendships, bonds,
and skills between individuals. The possibilities of cities and neighborhoods of surviving
without public spaces where all sorts of intimate, cultural, and economic interactions take
place are slim to none. As stated by (Caking , 1990), human beings can influence and alter the
physical environment, just as how the physical environment influences human behavior. First,
we humans shape the environments with our buildings, models, and arrangements, and then
the same environment shapes us human beings (Alkan, 1979). It is understood, while not all

22 | P a g e
users have the exact same requirements and preferences of a public space, there are certain
key qualities that is backed up with scientific studies that applies to public spaces such as
Location aspect- which makes it easier to access communal resources such as schools and
markets, Place - to be able to stop from our busy lifestyle and rest or sit on benches or cafes
as a result of which experiences can be more engaging ; Adaptability – spaces with no
particular or specifies roles that allow for impromptu, spontaneous activities; Homeliness – a
feeling a security and familiarity that resembles home to individuals; Pleasantness – place
where it is tranquil and clean, or busy and vibrant and lastly, Specialness – unique individual
characteristics, aesthetics, or contextual memories.

Since the experience of the pedestrian movement is closely linked to possibilities for social
contact between these individuals, when a space is pedestrian oriented rather than car-
oriented, this is associated with a sense of society. Moreover, natural, green, or landscape
characteristics have long been associated with a number of health benefits.

KEEP ACTIVE

A study on The Impact on Physical and Mental Health in the UK has shown that obesity
now cost more in terms of public wellbeing, and if existing rates hold, it will replace smoking
as Britain’s top killer in 10-15 years. There is an increasing concern about the nation’s health,
especially the health of our children and youth. Several studies have revealed that 20% of
four-year-old are overweight, 8.5% of six-year-olds and 15 % of 15-year-olds are obese. This
shows that obesity is on the rise as a result of increasingly sedentary habits and a decline in
physical activity. The lack of exercise during childhood will lead to complications as an adult
such as diabetes and heart disease. Not only is our nations physical fitness in jeopardy, but
there are also questions about people’s mental health given the exhausting lives that many
people now lead. Employee absence due to depression cost the country millions of working
days per annum. The simple act of walking, cycling, sports , etc. will provide excellent
health benefits to us. A study conducted of walking groups found that just by simply
increasing our walking distance from one to two miles per day results in one less person
losing their life due to heart attack among patients aged 61-80.

Research from Japan indicates the importance of tree-lined avenues, parks, and other green
spaces in our lives. Not only do they amplify the strength of identity in the neighborhood, but

23 | P a g e
they can also make us live longer. Providing natural views such a trees and lakes are proven
to reduce blood pressure which in turns reduces stress

Figure 6 Tree-lined Avenue in Omotesando, Japan

TAKE NOTICE

Being aware while being respectful with a design intervention is a behavior that has only
been recently recorded. Art, planting and landscaping, wildlife amenities such as bug boxes
are few examples from a randomized control test conducted which resulted in an increased
observation of people stopping to take notice. From the same study conducted, it is also
found that diverse forms of open space including both green and hard landscaping) and a
higher relative proportion of public to private space were also linked to higher registered
mindfulness in the same way.

According to Montgomery in his publication (Happy City, 2013) , he states that “Colors are
symbols. The rainbow crossing for some people triggers feelings of playfulness and
contentment, and for others, connotes social inclusion”. This study was based majority on the
people from outside of Vancouver. The feeling they described strongly led to a greater sense
of belonging towards places which are more people-oriented which also mirrored the city’s
multicultural community. Furthermore, this manages to “slow down” people due to the urban

24 | P a g e
intervention. “When we slow down, we are more likely to make eye contact with other
people,” Montgomery states, adding that this may build a sense of conviviality, confidence,
and comfort. However, the importance of houses and neighborhoods in relation to how they
are built is not the only leading factor, but we have to also consider where they are built.

People living in London’s most deprived places/slums according to Araceli Camargo, a

cognitive neuroscientist and co-founder of The Centric lab, are also subject to more noise,
glare, and air pollution, as well as heat, which can contribute to chronic stress and disease.
She continues to highlight that we already have too many challenges in the city we should
aim to make people less sick, only then after should we focus on aiming for happiness. As
architects, we should focus on creating healthy and safe environments for our people. “It is
perhaps when our lives are at their most problematic that we are likely to be most receptive to
beautiful things.” – Alain de Botton

Figure 7 Common Mental disorders in adults from age 16-64

Source: Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

Architects and designers of public spaces have long evaluated their performance in terms of
how many people live in the spaces they build. However, since people’s health and welfare
are largely affected by their climate, lifestyle and actions, Barbara Bochnak, a former lead
architect for the late Zaha Hadid, suggests that designers of the built environments have an
important role to play. Buildings, according to Bochnak, should be practical while still
maintaining the “awe” and inspiration. “I wouldn’t call it a modern trend,” she says with a

25 | P a g e
smile when asked if environmental interventions and green spaces were becoming the new
norm of architecture and urban planning. The importance of art and nature is predominant
just like how good air and water, are essential in our lives. These are what makes us human,
or to put it another way, what makes us civilized.

Figure 8 Korail slum settlement in the city centre of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Image Source: Courtesy of UN-Habitat

The United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) has launched its World Cities
Report 2020 on the importance of sustainable urbanization, focusing on the most current and
urgent issues. The study explores the inherent role of cities in creating economic growth,
combating environmental destruction, reducing social injustice, and improving institutions,
and demonstrates how these elements can work together to accelerate structural change.
According to Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN-Habitat Executive Director, the World Cities
Report 2020 "affirms that well-planned, run, and funded cities and towns build economic,
social, environmental, and other unquantifiable value that can greatly enhance the quality of
life for everyone."

26 | P a g e
KEEP LEARNING

As humans, its engraved in our system to have a profound desire to be creative and artistic
and this need is enhanced by the creation of beautiful objects/things. The built environment
or “nature” is the master key to experiencing this sensation in connection to our feelings,
which in combination with our thoughts and emotions, contributes to a profound level of
beauty. “It is quite true that architecture and the spaces that we live in influence our behavior
and psychopathology,”, stated by Italian illustrator Federico Babina in his latest illustration
series Archiatric.

The idea that music and intervals were thought to be able to create specific moods or
emotions are supported by many philosophers and mathematicians. In the publication of “The
Divine Order: Music and the Visual Arts from Antiquity to the Eighteenth Century” by Peter
Vergo , a practicing artist and moralist, “he strongly believes that during early practices
ranging from the Renaissance, the golden ratio was and still is, closely related to musical
harmonies which accepted by majority as “satisfying or pleasing harmonies”. Even though
there is no evidence that musicians of that time were using the golden ration for their works,
many architects and philosophers of that time were bought with the ideology of the harmonic
equivalent and made them believe that there was an inherent, cosmic proportion which
existed in our world. Steven Holl is one of the most well-known architects who has made a
deliberate attempt to integrate music into his work. “Music, like architecture, is an immersive
environment in which you are absolutely surrounded by it” he says. A drawing or a piece of
sculpture may be turned away by someone, however music and architecture engulfs the body
in space, and I do agree with his statement. I highly believe that architecture has the power to
modify our way our life. It has the ability to change a person and the environment we live in.
It is a beautiful phenomenon, and it truly has the power to transform the world. It speaks to
the soul.

27 | P a g e
Figure 9 Image elevation of Stretto House derived from nodes from music

Source : https://images.lib.ncsu.edu/

GIVE

Altruism is a topic very less spoken about. Ever wondered if the built environment we lived
in was more friendly? We could be beginning our day with chatting with neighbors and
friends that strolls by the neighborhood rather than doing these same things when your alone.
Fostering familiarity and friendship among neighborhoods will simultaneously inhabit a
happy environment which demonstrates a way to show “love” or “liking “ to our neighbors.
Although altruism is hard to see with the naked eyes , this behavior is more commonly seen
in neighborhoods which portray positive environmental and physical characteristics of space,
diversity, proximity, accessibility , and quality.

28 | P a g e
CHAPTER 3: HOW THE FORM OF URBAN ENVIRONMENT SHAPES OUR
MENTAL HEALTH

The correlation between intrinsic human attributes like character, conduct, and demeanor
and the built environment has been recognized for years. However, in the architecture of our
built environment, this connection has received little attention. This needs to improve because
construction, strategic planning, and design are critical components of real urban
development in our cities.

The city's most significant benefits are often stated to be that it provides options, an
entertaining lifestyle, access to resources and amenities, stimulating features and represents
an intellectual challenge, and workplaces. However, each city is unique to one another, and
some cities have more benefits to their residents than others. (Haas, 2021)

To approach this field, the main challenge was to analyze the urban form and material in
relationship to mental health by collecting data, observation, previous theoretical works by
not only architects but also planners, human geographers, environmental psychologist,
ethnologist, ecologist, historians, and others which provides a significance in this field.

3.1 TRANSPORTATION AND MENTAL HEATH

Public transportation provides possibilities for social contact and connection, making it an
essential factor for cities. Most individuals utilize transportation on a daily basis, making
transportation a crucial component of urban planning to enhance mental health, therefore
providing design interventions that can focus on manifesting protective factors may produce a
beneficial influence on mental health. However, people's mental health might also be
negatively impacted by the transportation industry. Roadways, junctions, and automobile
parking spots also take up a significant amount of area. All these factors might contribute to
mental health issues.

29 | P a g e
Long distance travelling or the act of commuting for a period of excess of 30 minutes can
have a range of detrimental effects on mental health. Noise, overcrowding, unexpected
traffic, and traffic congestion may all add to tension, anxiety, anger, aggressiveness, and
unpleasant sentiments during trips across town (Fong et al. 2001). In addition, it can affect
sleep and physical exercise, both of which are necessary for maintaining mental health.

A recent study done in Sweden affirms that traveling by vehicle or public transportation was
associated with higher levels of daily stress, poor sleep quality, and feelings of tiredness
(Hansson et al.2011). On a positive note, walking or bicycling to work can have significant
mental health benefits, particularly when infrastructure is in place to guarantee safety.

3.2 SAFER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

In a mental health point of view, improving safety in the urban environment is not often
considered, although a sense of security in one's everyday life is an essential contributor to
mental health and well-being in any metropolitan context. Victims of theft and violent crime
are more likely to have poor mental health, and these consequences tend to last for over a
year after an incident occurs, according to a study done in behavior therapy (Clark et al.
2006). Looking into crime prevention , there are a vast number of strategies aimed in
reducing crime through urban design but that is beyond the scope of this chapter.
Nonetheless, there are a few essential principles to remember.

In the first place, it is necessary to take advantage of natural surveillance. It is not

uncommon for people to commit crimes when they believe there are no witnesses to their
actions. Deterrence comes from the sense of being seen, therefore the built environment may
be structured to increase public visibility of people's activities in public areas. A good
example to set includes window design in buildings to work in parallel with pedestrian areas,
increasing pedestrian and bicycle traffic through supporting infrastructure as well as making
sure that potentially dangerous locations are well-lit.

30 | P a g e
Figure 10 A well-lit street in contra to a not well-lit street

Imagesource:https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-street-lights-what-makes-people-feel-safe-at-night-
103805

Image source :https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/bad-neighborhood

Secondly, natural access control and territory marking are two more opportunities that
can be used. There must be a clear distinction between public and private space in order to
deter public space users from invading private area for illegal purposes. This can be done in
several ways including reducing the number of entrance point into private areas, placing
prickly plants under windows so that they can't be reached easily, and eliminating
architectural elements that enable access to upper floors or rooftops.

Lastly, maintenance. Following the theory proposed by James Q. Wilson and George
Kelling in 1982 which is the “Broken windows theory”, this theory is used as a symbol for
disorder within neighbourhoods. Individuals are more inclined to breaking the rules if they
observe other people breaching the rules in the environment. Features like broken windows
portrays an impression that the neighbourhood is unsafe. If the neighbourhood place is clean
and well-maintained, it suggests that it has been well-kept. The idea of broken windows
theory had a huge influence on police policy during the 1990s and remained relevant to the
built environment till the 21st century.

31 | P a g e
Figure 11 Well maintained and unmaintained neighbourhood

Image source: - Mark Peters

3.3 STREET PERCEPTION

In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in leveraging the senses for good mental health
in the physical environment of cities. Urban soundscapes pose an interesting outlook on this
topic. A study was conducted on 2 important components, visual components, and sound in
relation to the effect it poses to the people and built environment. The findings established
that there was a difference in perception of the environment and noise levels (Hong and Jeon
2013).

Noise levels on the street may portray an important role in people’s mental health. A
particular interesting form of noise is sleep. Disruption of sleep can worsen many mental
health disorders and is crucial for mental wellbeing. Noise may also hinder cognitive
performance and exacerbate emotional symptoms like anxiety and rage. Studies have shown
loud outdoor noises can cause psychological discomfort, although no connections to major
mental disease have been shown (Evans 2003; Clark et al. 2006). On the other hand, traffic

32 | P a g e
noise that is moderate but persistent has been linked to depressive symptoms in individuals
(Orban et al. 2015). Noises that are loud and sudden, such as the blaring of horns in heavy
traffic, can elicit auditory reflexes that put people on high alert which may lead to a rise in
stress in the long run (Pheasant et al. 2010). That in turns doesn’t mean that a quiet street is
the best street for mental health. It’s all about balance. The goal should be focused on
establishing sound balance. Nature sounds, in particular, birdsongs, have been linked to
improved feelings of well-being, however urban planners should tread carefully on this
matter as study has also revealed that the sound of falling water degrades the quality of the
soundscape if there is concurrent traffic noise (Hong and Jeon 2013).m

SENSE OF SMELL

The sense of smell is presented and defined as a relevant mediator in terms of the senses in
perception of street sense. Humans employ their sense of smell from the time they are born,
according to Rose Eveleth (TED, 2013). As a vehicle of memory, the sense of smelling help
individuals recalls and identify locations, quite figuratively, it defines places (Kubartz et al.
2014). Furthermore, more research has shown that people use their sense of smell to capture
their perception of environments in their long-term memory (Quercia et al., 2015). This
allows them to differentiate the difference between a high or low socioeconomic lifestyle and
to evaluate that based on their socio-economic status (Borer, 2013; Dzhambov & Dimitrova,
2014).

3.4 CASE STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF SMELL ON PEOPLES EXPERIENCE

Measuring the impact of smell on people can be tricky. Devices such as olfactometers which
can be used to identify odour molecules in the air and online participatory mapping to record
smell are not acceptable approaches because of their lack of input and their limits in certain
locations or places (Quercia et al., 2015). Alternately, "Smellwalking" is another way to
capture people's experiences and recollections of their memories. The term “smellwalking” is

33 | P a g e
used by many scientists to investigate the relationship between the scent of a location and its
perception by individuals passing by or living in it.

The case studies investigate two distinct data gathering techniques used in three different
cities and compares them. A semi-structured interview is used in the first study and
“smellwalking” and documentation was relied upon for the second research, which generated
a scientific classification system of odour-related terms.

Krakow, Poland, (STUDY 1)

Two researchers, Sliwa and Riach conducted a study on 30 individuals living in Krakow
which had lived there all their lives with fond memories of the transition of the city during
1989. The objective of the study was based on the study of smell such as the use of smell to
characterize places, led by the ideas developed by Classen et al. (1994): "olfactory
classifications" (classifications of smell) and "dynamics of smell" (Sliwa & Riach, 2012,
p.29). Results from the study revealed the importance smell is to the city. When the
individuals were asked about their happiness with the transformation of the city from
socialism to capitalism, the participants in the study gave a positive remark through recalling
the scent of their neighbours cooking. Based on their comments, the smell of their neighbours
cooking made them realised how little privacy they had in the socialist apartments where they
were living during that period.

London and Barcelona, (STUDY 2)

Quercia et al. investigated seven cities in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe
in 2015 and 2016. The specific situations of London and Barcelona will be discussed in this
section. The researchers first paired tags from social media such as Instagram, Twitter and
Flicker to dictionary terms linked to smell. They then urged the locals of the area to walk
along prearranged roads, making sure to take notes when they smelled something significant.
The findings from the study led to the first urban smell dictionary which are divided into 10
components as shown in the figure below. Moreover, the findings also affirm that aside from

34 | P a g e
dominant smells, there is also a presence of local smells that establish local references
(Quercia et al., 2015; 2016).

Figure 12 Urban smellscape aroma wheel

35 | P a g e
From both the studies conducted in 2015 and 2016, the researchers were able to indicate: -

In 2015: -

1) Chemicals such as carbon monoxide as a result of mankind contaminates the city’s

air, thus harming the mental well-being of humans (Quercia et al., 2015).
2) This tendency of globalization has led London to become a “clone town”, leading in
an unmistakable scent that is common to many cities (Quercia et al., 2015).
3) Hospitals, industrial locations, and train stations have the strongest smells due to
cleaning chemicals (Quercia et al., 2015).
4) Urine and smoking smells are more prevalent during the late evening time economy
clusters because they are more concentrated (Quercia et al., 2015).

In 2016: -

1) When the researchers asked the participants to match what they were smelling with
colour, they classified some areas as black and red for traffic, most likely because
they were seeing the colours of smoke, roads, buses, and red traffic lights at the time
(Quercia et al., 2016).
2) Seasons and months have a role in determining the city's pleasant olfactory
experience. The month May, for example, is the month with the finest smelling
according to social media tags and 10-year statistics (Quercia et al., 2016).
3) When it comes to smells in London, the best ones can be found in Trafalgar Square,
Russell Square, and St James’s Park whereas in Barcelona the best ones can be found
at the city's major food market, related to food, La Boqueria (Quercia et al., 2016).
4) When describing odours, positive or negative adjectives are used. Nature (such as
green) and food (such as chocolate) are typically linked with positive terms, whereas
waste and metro are typically associated with negative ones (Quercia et al., 2016).

36 | P a g e
DISCUSSION

As we can see from the studies above, developing smellscapes in cities do play a big role in
mental wellbeing of the people, not only for quick pleasure, but also for emotionally pleasant
experiences and a feeling of location in one’s place. The findings in case studies 1 can be
used to attain this goal. To do this, urban designers and other practitioners of the field can
work on matching smells of nature and food with the seasons and colours of the environment.
Other progressive methods that may help includes the combination of architects and urban
planners to use neuro-architecture in collaboration with a neuroscience expert who measures
the impacts of important smells of a certain city to lessen the detrimental impact on the
impression of space and human well-being. "Urban drifting" might be used to enhance the
data. Participants can record, sketch, or write their experiences in urban surroundings without
a pre-planned environment. This notion was proposed by Alexandros Daniilidis. Lastly, a
city's next task will be to welcome people from diverse backgrounds. A city's distinctive
smell might be created by carefully controlling and blending specific smells thus making it
iconic to its place and its people.

37 | P a g e
3.5 COPENHAGEN CASE STUDIES ON PHYSICAL STIMULI THAT AMPLIFIES HAPPINESS
IN URBAN SPACES

Taking a look on how the urban form shapes our mental health above; this methodology aims
to explain the efforts made by few places in Copenhagen and the steps and intervention they
have done to increase happiness in the urban environment.

Figure 13 Image location of Copenhagen

Image source : https://www.icepop.com/inside-copenhagen-happiest/

38 | P a g e
Figure 14 Global ranking chart of cities

Image source : https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2020/cities-and-happiness-a-global-ranking-and-analysis/

According to WHR( World Happiness Report, 2020), Copenhagen is now regarded as one of
the worlds greenest, most livable, cycle friendly, and happiest cities. It regularly ranks at the
top of the United Nations Happiness Index, and it is a standout performer in the Healthy
Cities initiative of the World Health Organization. It is easily a model for other countries to
follow says environmental journalist,” Sarah Boseley, because it serves as an example of how
sustainable communities can be built all around the world which she explains in her journal,
“How Do You Build a Healthy City”. In addition to the use of recycled materials,
Copenhagen's urban planning is focused on promoting pedestrianism, bicycle commuting,

39 | P a g e
and alternate modes of transportation (Gehl , 2013). Moreover, happiness has been steady at a
pace of 8 out of 10 for the past 40 years, according to statistics (World Happiness Report,
2012).

Sarah continues to say, even during winter, you can see plenty of kids, young adults and even
the elderly riding bicycles through the icy streets of Copenhagen. Even parents with young
kids with their cargo bikes can be seen everywhere.

Figure 15 A mother and her child using a cargo bike. A quarter of Copenhagen families own one.

Image source : Mura/Getty Images

This may seem like Copenhageners just seem to enjoy being outside, exercising or the simple
fact of being fit and healthy but when actually interviewed by the city’s officials, this is not
the case, in fact none of it is true. It is simply the most convenient mode of transportation for
them. Also, as stated by the city’s head of public health, Katrine Schjonning, “ It is not
because it is the healthier option , but the simplest option instead. “Copenhagen is designed
for bikes, not cars”.

40 | P a g e
Figure 16 Measures used to reduce traffic and to make it a more people friendly city centre.

Image source:- Cities Alive

3.6 COPENHAGEN SECRETS

Figure 17 People of Copenhagen making use of the public space provided

41 | P a g e
 “ The overall usage of public spaces has increased as well, showing that if an area has well-
planned, well-managed open spaces, residents can use them, even in a comparatively cold
environment like Copenhagen's.” (Tom Armor 2014) (Cities Alive) . p32

Figure 18 Copenhagen Habour Bath, Denmark

Image source: Archdaily

The harbor in Copenhagen is undergoing a transition from an industrial port and traffic
junction to a cultural and social hub. The Harbor Bath has played an important role in this
development. It incorporates the logistical needs and demands for connectivity, protection,
and programmatic versatility to expand the adjacent park over the river.

The outdoor pool has evolved into a playground for all that connects to the local park nearby.
The intention behind the design is for recreational, fitness, and socializing, with areas for
sunbathing, diving, leaping into the water from a terraced deck, or just relaxing and enjoying
the view of the city.

“A sustainable city is not only better for the environment, but also more
enjoyable for the lives of its citizens” – Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG.

42 | P a g e
3.8 DISCUSSION

Inclusive cities are “places or spaces where all of the users or residents, regardless of the
demographic, can engage productively in all the resources that the cities provide” according
to the United Nations Program for Human Settlements (The Global Campaign for Good
Urban Governance, 2000). Based on this context, as architects, engineers, and practitioners in
the common field, it is critical to understand and recognize the aspects of cities whereby
communities have social, economic, and cultural facets that are interconnected with people’s
everyday lives. There are a variety of social activities from the development of public spaces
which can highly improve the user satisfaction for a healthy lifestyle as mentioned above
such as bus stops, parks, plaza and many more. We should strive to bring the whole
community together and build opportunities for the wellbeing of the community. “This can be
done in multiple ways such placing them in an environment which can stimulate people
through creativity and playing an active role in joining communities which are devoted to
well-being” says Maria Camila Ariza in her blog, (Public space for all: What makes
Copenhagen the city for the people, 2019).

Copenhagen does demonstrate how healthy living and urban design go hand in hand when
carefully thought after and planned. The possibilities are endless, thus resulting in the
acquisition of new perspective on cities.

"A sustainable city is one that continuously creates and enhances its physical and social
conditions and extends the cultural opportunities that allow residents to mutually assist each
other in fulfilling all of life's tasks and improving to their full capacity," according to the
World Health Organization.

43 | P a g e
CHAPTER 4 URBAN DESIGN FOR YOUNG AND THE OLD

In addition to designing urban environments to promote good mental health, moving on to the
4th chapter, we take a more in depth look on how urban practitioners and designers can
further improve their works in regard to mental health focusing on two important target
groups which is the young and the old.

4.1 MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN FOR CHILDREN

An important distinction between children and adults, when it comes to health concerns, is
that children are in a state of active growth and development. Children's listening and hearing
abilities are also influenced by the physical surroundings. To accurately comprehend spoken
words, youngsters must be able to clearly hear consonant sounds, as they do not fully acquire
their capacity to focus on speech until the age of 13 to 15 (Latoia Williams et al.2017).

NOISE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

Creating a productive and suitable environment that promotes the development phases of
children may contribute to long-term health benefits on their mental health. Research shows
that calm indoor surroundings with low levels of noise can also help youngsters with learning
difficulties (O'Donnell and Peterson et al.2010). As results from these findings, the audible
level of a home or an environment should be suitable enough for youngsters to develop on
their speech recognition skills. Housing units should be constructed in such a way that even
rumbles louder than a loud whisper are muffled, including machinery noises, highway noise,
and streetscape noise. In order to reduce these obstacles to urban children's growth and well-
being, child development specialists and architectural design professionals should work
together to develop cutting-edge solutions to minimize these problems. For instance,
Architectural designs can use sound absorption methods, such as acoustical ceilings, textiles,
and carpets, to effectively conceal unwanted sound.

44 | P a g e
PLAY AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Children's outdoor and indoor physical environments can benefit from careful design in a
variety of ways. For instance, a child's sensory capabilities can be enhanced by the physical
architecture of a housing unit. A child's capacity to feel multiple textures and see distinct
colours is crucial to his or her knowledge of the world around them. Through the use of these
colours, dull boring places may be transformed into colourful play areas that capture the
children’s eyes. Designing outdoor spaces for children aged 3 to 12 can facilitate improve
fine and gross motor abilities, as well as balance and coordination. In order to encourage
physical activity, play and learning environments should contain natural and man-made
characteristics, for example, trees and plants that connect them to nature. This can be
achieved by introducing physical features such as geometrical shapes and monkey bars to
stimulate children into physical activities.

Figure 19 Play and learning environment for children

45 | P a g e
AWARENESS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OUTDOOR AND INDOOR SPACES

Research done by the Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health (2017) states that outdoor
spaces can be beneficial by providing exercise possibilities for parents in conjunction with
children's activity areas and utilizing the use of large widows to promote views through
activity spaces. Large windows allow light and visual aspects to parents to watch their
children participating in physical activities alongside them, which in turn promoting a greater
awareness of these physical activities. Moreover, incorporating the use of “easy stairs” in a
building may be a healthier alternative to an elevator. We can utilize these stairs by colour
coding them making them easily visible to children’s eye, thus encouraging the use of
physical activities in the building.

Indoor spaces on the other hand may provide a unique opportunity when the outdoor spaces
are restricted to use. For instance, this can be done by providing a separate area with soft
mats and crayons where youngsters can gather if outdoor physical activities are banned. This
is a great way to stimulate and satisfy the children’s need for physical outdoor spaces. On the
other hand, the use of large windows in a high rise building that promotes the view of outdoor
spaces, as well as aged appropriate furniture may encourage socializing activities for
children. Hence, by taking advantage of using physical design elements, long-term
development and good mental health in children is achieved.

4.2 MENTAL HEALTH AND URBAN DESIGN FOR THE ELDERLY

Old folks or the elderly are another segment of the population whereby the built environment
is typically given special attention to. According to Garin et al., (Garin et al., 2014), "the
local urban environment becomes a significant concern for the elderly. In his words, “due to
physical deterioration, retirement, limited transportation availability, and a diminishing social
network, people spend an increasing amount of time in this setting." Independent living,
autonomy, self-esteem, and physical and mental well-being are all related to a pleasant built
environment for the elderly. This part of the chapter covers two areas of focus for the elderly
in urban designing which is preventing depression in dementia patients and promoting
excellent psychological health for the elderly.

46 | P a g e
PREVENTION OF DEPRESSION IN THE LATER LIFE

The symptoms of depression include depressed mood, lack of interest or pleasure, feelings of
guilt or low self-worth as well as disrupted sleep or food and reduced energy Huy V. Nguyen
(et al., 2018). The symptoms of depression and anxiety in older individuals can lead to
serious health issues that have a negative impact on quality of life and a bad prognosis.
Careful design interventions may help in solving this issue. As the saying goes, happiness
begins at home, depressive symptoms are reduced when the home is well-decorated, brightly
illuminated, tidy and has all the amenities anticipated in a home in a specific region (Stewart
et al. 2002; Lai and Guo 2011). Being able to live in a home with more than 2 rooms is also
significant positive impact within then older individuals (Chan et al. 2011).

NEIGHBOURHOOD WALKABILITY

Apart from inside the home, neighbourhood walkability has a role, although its influence is
ambiguous. In addition to offering opportunities for nature exposure, social contact,
autonomy, and physical exercise, getting out of from the comfort of your house and walking
around in a local area has many other positive effects. The effect good walkability plays have
shown a predominant role in lower depressive symptoms (Berke et al. 2007). Therefore,
construction of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and senior housing in walkable areas
should be considered. There is some evidence that higher levels of depression among older
males are related with more land use variety and retail availability, irrespective of
the relationship with improved walkability (Saarloos et al. 2011).

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA WITH URBAN DESIGN

INTERVENTION

There is a rise of number of older people with dementia problems living in the city (Mitchell
and Burton 2006; Forbes et al. 2006). Urban planners and practitioners of the field should
take more consideration when designing the built environment for patients with dementia.
Firstly, Dementia has a number of symptoms, which must be understood in order to

47 | P a g e
determine how urban design might promote mental health. common symptoms include
memory problems, increased confusion, reduced concentration, personality or behaviour
changes, depression, and loss of ability to do everyday task. A lot of time, people aren't even
aware that these symptoms are a sign of anything wrong. It's possible that they're under the
impression that such behaviour is part of the ageing process. As time continues, the problem
worsens and makes it difficult for many people with dementia finding themselves unable to
drive and having difficulty using public transportation, limiting their travel options to
locations within walking distance of their house (Mitchell and Burton 2006). Even small task
such as moving around in their environment can cause an individual to cause an individual
with dementia to be afraid, disorientation and having problems getting back home safely
which can often have severe consequences on their health and happiness.

Moreover, cognitive decline in older individuals is half as likely to occur in older individuals
who do not suffer social isolation and emotions of separation (Mitchell and Burton 2006).
This shows how detrimental the effect of dementia can be to both categories. Proper urban
design may actively contribute to older people's independence, social engagement,
stimulation, exercise, and physical wellness. With this in mind, we take a look at two urban
design interventions which is to improve social interaction and providing easy approachable
navigation.

STREET LAYOUT IMPROVEMENT TO ASSIST NAVIGATION

Concentration and communication can be affected in people with dementia who rely on
landmarks to help them navigate. Changes in urban designing such as the local environment
might eliminate familiar features, causing disorientation, while loud noises can generate
distractions and contribute to confusion. Dementia sufferers commonly become lost, even
when they are familiar with a neighbourhood and feel confident in their navigation skills.
Many of the most difficult situations occur in areas where there are no obvious, apparent
environmental signals, including at traffic intersections, especially crossroads. As a rule,
forks and T-junctions are easier to navigate (Mitchell and Burton2006). They prefer short,
narrow roadways with gentle curves where the street ends and other environmental signals

48 | P a g e
that can be more easily identified and help sustain attention and concentration. People with
dementia hate long wide highways.

COLOR CODING FOR HELPFUL WAYFINDING

The built environment for the elderly is often designed with plain interiors and minimal décor
(Passini et al., 2000). There are not many evidence on the type of coloration linked with
memorable wayfinding but several studies have been conducted to show the qualities color-
coding for wayfinding. A study by Gibson, MacLean, Borrie, and Geiger (2004) was done on
the influence a redesigned dementia care unit played in relation to wayfinding on 29 dementia
patients. The patient’s orientation to new rooms took place over a period of eight weeks. The
researchers carefully explained to the patients the signals (colour, texture, position, and
structure, such as a room number, nameplate, and lighting) and were interviewed and asked
to find the same room after a period of 8 weeks. The results from the study concluded that
most respondents (84%) were able to make their way home once the research ended. The
door colour and structural characteristics were the most commonly cited beneficial aspects,
where else location (i.e., at the end of the hall) and texture were the least useful qualities.

In another study done on the effect colour and familiarity poses on colour coding in a place
learning done by Davis and Therrien (2012). The study was conducted on 133 community
living individuals aged 55 to 96 years without dementia. In four computerised settings using
the CG Arena, the subjects were instructed to identify a hidden object. In each of the settings,
there were diverse signals, including: bright and recognisable cues (such as flowers and a
kite), black-and-white familiar cues such as line drawings of a kite and star; and black-and-
white abstract cues such as abstract paintings. In order to locate the target, you had to recall
where it was in relation to the cues. Over the course of three days, subjects were assessed
again under each of the cue situations. The results from the study founded that when
compared to the other settings, the subjects performed much better in the one with colourful
and recognisable signals. Moreover, the older subjects were slower than the younger ones at
first, but they improved with time as they gained experience. Using the Mini Mental Status
Examination (MMSE), they also identified a link between higher cognitive scores and better
wayfinding in general A significant number of signals that are easily recognised, (bright
colorations and flowers, 3D-like coloration) were shown to be beneficial in place

49 | P a g e
learning. Older individuals, on the other hand, have a tough time navigating surroundings that
lack uniqueness.

As a way to assess the use of salient cues at critical decision points in individuals with
dementia, Davis, Ohman, and Weisbeck (2016) conducted a virtual reality (VR) simulation
from the findings above on a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Then, a VR
setting, nicknamed the Virtual Senior Living Residence, was projected onto a 12-foot-wide
display whereby joystick navigation was required in two different contexts for subjects to
reach a predetermined point. Aside from standard architectural features, the first context
lacked any purposeful cues; whereas the salient cue condition incorporated the addition of
brightly coloured cues that were large and memorable at key decision points and end points
in hallways, such as balloons, rainbows, and flags, as well as animals. According to these
studies, both participants with and without dementia were able to locate their route more
quickly and often when salient signals were present. Colourful and familiar cues are highly
beneficial to older individuals with and without dementia in navigation tasks, boosting
accuracy and learning new environmental settings over time.

Figure 20 Salient vs non-Salient environment

50 | P a g e
DISCUSSION

Given the findings above, we can confidently say that even in normal ageing, wayfinding
ability diminishes, and that individuals with dementia are at a significant risk for wayfinding
issues even in the early stages of the disease (Davis & Therrien, 2012; Moffat, 2009;
Rodgers, Sindone III & Moffat, 2012). (Caspi, 2014; Marquardt, 2011). In light of this
literature review, 3 recommendations urban practitioners and others in the field can find
beneficial to them is, 1) Wayfinding is reduced in dementia patients yet they are still able
to learn. The capacity to learn new settings is present in both older persons with and without
dementia, despite the fact that those with dementia may be slower and less accurate at finding
their way about. In order to learn and remember their route, they may require additional
environmental help. Although dementia does not mean that a person is incapable of learning,
it does mean that they are more dependent on a supporting environment to find their way
around. 2) The uniqueness of built environments must be considered. Seniors and people
with dementia may have a harder time navigating buildings that lack salient information
(such as long corridors, identical viewpoints along hallways, or inadequate distinction)
(Davis & Therrien 2012, Davis et al., 2016; Gibson et al, 2004). 3) Visual signals should be
provided at important decision places (such as hallway crossings, personal spaces such
as bedrooms, and hallway ends) to aid in wayfinding and navigation. Older individuals'
navigation is favourably affected by salient environmental signals, as previously observed.
Study after study has shown how visual signals placed in the bedroom (Gibson, 2004; Nolan
et al., 2001) or at critical decision places (Cherrier et al., 2001; Davis et al., 2016; Kessels et
al., 2011) promote navigation.

51 | P a g e
CONCLUSION

All in all, people's mental health is affected by a variety of variables, but urban design has the
potential to significantly improve mental health. Architects, urban planners, and others from
the same field can use these as a key advantage, as incorporating mental health promotion
into urban planning and design initiatives may have a significant beneficial influence on the
mental health of a wide range of urban residents over the course of their lives. Mental health
and well-being can be improved via urban planning for the urban population, as well as for
vulnerable individuals, and those with mental health problems may be helped at all stages of
their lives as city inhabitants. Determining opportunities and incorporating urban mental
health into plans and initiatives is now necessary to move past the stigma that has impeded
development in this field. To take advantage of these possibilities, urban planners must
actively seek them out. People, communities, and countries are all at risk for mental health
issues, therefore the importance of this matter on a personal scale.

The study conducted above has analyze the impact of architecture on the construction of
satisfaction among individuals in the modern age. An integration of ordinary environmental
aesthetics, a constructive environmental agenda, a generalizable information structure, and an
evidence-based approach to emotional architectural design lies at the heart of architecture
design's ability to align with human well-being.

This paper has looked into the impact of architecture and happiness on people’s wellbeing by
analyzing the results of other pioneers and researchers on the topic. We humans are complex
dynamic beings with a wide range of needs. We need architecture that understands us to feel a
bit more complete in this world.

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step in
your life”- Steve Maraboli

52 | P a g e
Bibliography

Primary sources first, then secondary

Books , then Papers.

1. Haas, T., 2021. [online] Lupinepublishers.com. Available at:

<https://lupinepublishers.com/psychology-behavioral-science-
journal/pdf/SJPBS.MS.ID.000167.pdf> [Accessed 9 April 2021].

2. Maslow, A. H. (1987). Motivation and personality (3rd ed.). Delhi, India: Pearson Education

3. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chao-Qun-

Lee/publication/325170198_A_Place_in_between_Architecture_and_Happiness/links/5afbea
6faca272e7302c5178/A-Place-in-between-Architecture-and-
Happiness.pdf?origin=publication_detail> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

4. Christie’s International Real Estate. 2021. Building Health: The Link Between Architecture
and Well-Being -. [online] Available at: <https://www.christiesrealestate.com/blog/building-
health-the-link-between-architecture-and-well-being/> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

5. Steemers, K., 2021. Architecture for well-being and health. [online] Vms.velux.co.uk.
Available at: <https://vms.velux.co.uk/commercialblog/architecture-for-well-being-and-
health> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

6. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/
file/292453/mental-capital-wellbeing-summary.pdf

7. Designcouncil.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at:

<https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/the-value-of-public-
space1.pdf> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

8. Weiss, S., 2021. The psychological tricks designers use to make cities happier places. [online]
WIRED UK. Available at: <https://www.wired.co.uk/article/city-design-architecture-
happiness-wellbeing> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

9. McDonald, A., 2021. Does Architecture Have A Role To Play In Understanding Mental
Health? | Indesignlive. [online] Indesignlive | Daily Connection to Australian Architecture
and Design. Available at: <https://www.indesignlive.com/the-ideas/archiatric> [Accessed 30
April 2021].

10. 2021. [online] Available at:

<https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Mental%20healt
h%20report.pdf> [Accessed 30 April 2021].2021. [online] Available at:
<https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Mental%20healt
h%20report.pdf> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

11. Ariza, M., Quintero, M. and Alfaro, K., 2021. Public space for all: what makes Copenhagen
the city for the people?. [online] Ciudades Sostenibles. Available at:
<https://blogs.iadb.org/ciudades-sostenibles/en/public-space-for-all-what-makes-copenhagen-
the-city-for-the-people/> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

53 | P a g e
12. "Cirkelbroen Bridge / Studio Olafur Eliasson" 24 Aug 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed 29 Apr
2021. <https://www.archdaily.com/772411/cirkelbroen-bridge-studio-olafur-eliasson> ISSN
0719-8884

13. Irbnet.de. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB16711.pdf>

[Accessed 30 April 2021].

14. the Guardian. 2021. How do you build a healthy city? Copenhagen reveals its secrets. [online]
Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/11/how-build-healthy-
city-copenhagen-reveals-its-secrets-happiness> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

15. Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health. 2021. Journal 5 - Copenhagen and play. [online]
Available at: <https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal-5---copenhagen-and-
play.html> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

16. Haroen, M., Muharam, A., Haroen, M. and Room, S., 2021. Denmark Tobacco Nation –
Smoking & Culture. [online] Smoking Room. Available at: <https://smoking-
room.net/denmark-tobacco-nation-smoking-culture/> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

17. ArchDaily. 2021. Copenhagen Harbour Bath / BIG + JDS. [online] Available at:
<https://www.archdaily.com/11216/copenhagen-harbour-bath-plot> [Accessed 30 April
2021].

18. urbanNext |. 2021. Copenhagen Harborfront: Critical Review | urbanNext. [online] Available
at: <https://urbannext.net/copenhagen-harborfront-critical-review/> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

19. ArchDaily. 2021. On World Cities Day UN-Habitat Releases 2020 Report on The Value of
Sustainable Urbanization. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/950631/on-
world-cities-day-un-habitat-releases-2020-report-on-the-value-of-sustainable-urbanization>
[Accessed 30 April 2021].

20. Marcus, J., 2021. Artist Olafur Eliasson Builds a Bridge in Copenhagen. [online] WSJ.
Available at: <https://www.wsj.com/articles/artist-olafur-eliasson-builds-a-bridge-in-
copenhagen-1440170383> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

21. En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Noma (restaurant) - Wikipedia. [online] Available at:

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noma_(restaurant)#:~:text=Opened%20in%202003%2C%20t
he%20restaurant,2019%20it%20is%20ranked%202nd> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

22. Johnson, T., 2021. LEGO® House Limited Edition reveal: 40501 The Wooden Duck. [online]
Newelementary.com. Available at: <https://www.newelementary.com/2020/06/lego-house-
40501-wooden-duck.html> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

23. Crook, L., 2021. BIG opens CopenHill power plant in Copenhagen with rooftop ski slope.
[online] Dezeen. Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/08/big-copenhill-power-
plant-ski-slope-copenhagen/> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

24. Ijeh, I., 2021. Projects: Copenhill ski slope and energy-from-waste plant, Copenhagen.
[online] Building. Available at: <https://www.building.co.uk/buildings/projects-copenhill-ski-
slope-and-energy-from-waste-plant-copenhagen/5102285.article> [Accessed 30 April 2021].

54 | P a g e
25. Kodmany, K. and Ali, M. M. (2012) Future of the City: Tall Buildings and Urban De-sign.
WIT Press (UK). Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/dmu/detail.action?docID=1109676.

26. Marcuse, P. and van Kempen, R. (2000) Globalizing cities: a new spatial order? Oxford:
Blackwell. Available at:
https://proxy.library.dmu.ac.uk/login?url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9780
470712887.

27. Yuen, B. et al. (eds) (2011) High-Rise Living in Asian Cities. Dordrecht: Springer. Available
at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/dmu/detail.action?docID=691127.

28. Diener, E., 2000, “Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and proposal for a
national index”, American Psychologist, vol. 55, pp. 56–67.

29. (PDF) Urban Design and Mental Health (2021). Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315864757_Urban_Design_and_Mental_Health
(Accessed: 6 August 2021).

30. Architecture for Mental Health — Psychological Design (2021). Available at:
https://www.psychologicaldesign.com.au/mental-health (Accessed: 6 August 2021).

31. Bond, M. (2021) The hidden ways that architecture affects how you feel, Bbc.com. Available
at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170605-the-psychology-behind-your-citys-design
(Accessed: 6 August 2021).

32. Designing good mental health into cities: the next frontier for urban design (2017). Available
at: https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/designing-good-mental-health-cities-next-
frontier-urban-design (Accessed: 6 August 2021).

33. Why boring streets make pedestrians stressed and unhappy | Aeon Essays (2021). Available
at: https://aeon.co/essays/why-boring-streets-make-pedestrians-stressed-and-unhappy
(Accessed: 6 August 2021).

34. Merrifield, C., 2010. Characterizing the psychophysiological signature of boredom.

Waterloo, Ont.: University of Waterloo.

35. Anon, (2021) Kcl.ac.uk. Available at:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/psychology/research/researchgroupings/cognitioninemotio
naldisordersandresiliencegroup/hirsch-clark--mathews-a--(2006)-behavior-therapy-2006.pdf
(Accessed: 6 August 2021).

36. broken windows theory | Description & Results (2021). Available at:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/broken-windows-theory (Accessed: 6 August 2021).

37. Dementia - early signs - Better Health Channel (2021). Available at:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/dementia-early-signs
(Accessed: 6 August 2021).

38. Daniilidisa, A. (2016). Urban drifting: an approach to city comprehension and mapping.
Sociology Study, 6(7), 417-435. DOI: 10.17265/2159 -5526/2016.07.001

55 | P a g e
 39. Dzhambov, A. M., & Dimitrova, D. D. (2014). Urban green spaces' effectiveness as a
psychological buffer for the negative health impact of noise pollution: a systematic review.
Noise Health, 16(70), 157-165. DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.134916

40. Kubartz, B. (2014). Urban smellscapes: understanding and designing city smell environments.
The AAG Review of Books, 2(3), 99-101. DOI: 10.1080/2325548X.2014.919152

41. Nordqvist, C. (2018, February 16). What are pheromones and do humans have them? Medical
News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232635.php

42. O’Meara, C., & Majid, A. (2016). How changing lifestyles impact Seri smellscapes and smell
language. Anthropological Linguistics, 58(2), 107-131. DOI: 10.1353/anl.2016.0024

43. Oriol P. (2006, September 26). Smelly City. Sustainable Rotterdam. Retrieved from:
http://sustainablerotterdam.blogspot.com/2006/09/smelly-city.html

44. Quercia, D., Aiello, L. M., & Schifanella, R. (2016). The emotional and chromatic layers of
urban smells. International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, North America,
309-318. Retrieved from:
https://www.aaai.org/ocs/index.php/ICWSM/ICWSM16/paper/view/13092/12750.

45. Quercia, D., Schifanella, R. ̧ Aiello, L. M. ̧ & McLean, K. (2015). Smelly Maps: The Digital
Life of Urban Smellscapes. International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, North
America. Retrieved from:
https://www.aaai.org/ocs/index.php/ICWSM/ICWSM15/paper/view/10572/10516

Brunstein, J.C., 1993, “Personal Goals and Subjective Well-Being: A Longitudinal Study”, Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 65, no. 5, pp. 1061-1070.

Constanza, R., Fisher, B., Ali, S., Beer, C., Bond, L., Boumans, R., Danigelis, N., Dickinson, J.,
Elliott, C., Farley, J., Elliott Gayer, D., MacDonald Glenn, L., Hudspeth, T., Mahoney, D., McCahill,
L., McIntosh, B., Reed, B., Turab Rizvi, S., Rizzo, D., Simpatico, T. & Snapp, R., 2007, “Quality of
life: an approach integrating opportunities, human needs, and subjective well-being”, Ecological
Economics, vol. 61, no. 2-3, pp. 267-276.

Diener, E., 2000, “Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national
index”, American Psychologist, vol. 55, pp. 56–67.

Ryff, C.D., 1989, "Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological
well-being", Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 57, no. 6, pp. 1069–1081.

56 | P a g e
Seamon, D., Physical and virtual environments: meaning of place and space. In B. Schell, G. Gillen
and M. Scaffa Eds. 2013. Willard & Spackman’s Occupational Therapy. 12th edition (pp. 202-214).
Philadelphia: Wippincott, Williams & Wilkens.

Smith, D., Metcalfe, P. & Lommerse, M., 2012, “Interior architecture as an agent for wellbeing”,
Journal of the HEIA, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 2-9.

Thaler, R., & Sunstein, C. (2008). Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth and happiness.
New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

King, D., Thompson, P.,&Darzi, A.(2014).Enhancing health and well-being though ‘behavioural
design’. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 336–337.

WHO. (2001). Fifty-fourth World Health Assembly. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Evans, G. (2003). The Built Environment and Mental Health. Journal of Urban Health, 536–555

“Stretto House”. Steven Holl Architects, accessed March 3, 2015, http://www.stevenholl.com/

project-detail.php=26

Copenhagen: resilience and livability », Field Actions Science Reports, Special Issue 18 | 2018, 30-
33.

57 | P a g e