Neurourbanism is an emerging interdisciplinary field that merges neuroscience with urban planning and design. It seeks to understand how the built environment—cities, neighbourhoods, and public spaces—affects human brain function, mental health, and overall well-being. The aim is to create urban spaces that foster positive cognitive, emotional, and social experiences for people living in densely populated areas.
The concept of neurourbanism stems from growing interest in the interplay between physical environments and mental health. Neuroscience has traditionally focused on brain function in isolated or controlled environments, but as urbanisation intensifies, researchers recognise the need to explore how city life impacts cognitive and emotional health. Early work in this area drew on environmental psychology, public health, and behavioural science findings, which highlighted the mental stresses associated with urban living, such as noise, crowding, and pollution.
Origins
Key developments that led to the rise of neurourbanism include:
- Research on stress and mental health: Studies indicated that urban dwellers face higher risks of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression compared to rural populations. This prompted researchers to investigate how urban stressors affect the brain.
- Advancements in brain imaging and neuroscience: Techniques like fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) allowed scientists to observe brain activity and understand how environmental stimuli—such as green spaces, noise, or social density—affect brain function.
- Collaboration between disciplines: Collaboration between neuroscientists, architects, urban planners, and public health experts grew, leading to integrative approaches for studying and improving urban environments.
(Add links to Papers)
Purpose
Neurourbanism aims to create healthier, more livable cities by using scientific insights into how urban settings influence cognitive and emotional processes. Some of the core goals of the field include:
- Reducing stress and promoting mental well-being: By identifying the types of urban designs that reduce psychological stress (e.g., access to nature, low noise pollution), neurourbanism seeks to alleviate the mental health burden of urban living.
- Designing cognitively friendly spaces: The field investigates how spaces can support cognitive functions like memory, attention, and social interaction. For example, complex street grids or crowded environments can overwhelm the brain’s ability to navigate or relax.
- Supporting equitable urban development: By considering how different populations—children, the elderly, and people with mental health conditions—experience the urban environment, neurourbanism promotes inclusive and accessible urban spaces for all.