Urban Stress and Sustainable Green Infrastructure: A Spatial Perspective on Well-being in Greater Chennai

Rapid Urbanization in Greater Chennai has contributed to rising stress levels among the people. The primary reasons for stress are pollution, limited green open spaces, inadequate urban planning etc. This study investigates the spatial relationship between urban stress and green infrastructure with a comparative focus on working and non-working professionals across zones in the Chennai City. A primary survey was done with 90 individuals both working and non-working to understand their stress level and how it is related to green open spaces around them. The data was collected using structured questionnaires through Google Forms. The present study used Geographic Information System (GIS) to map areas with high stress and compared them to the presence of green spaces like parks, tree-lined roads, water bodies and other eco-friendly public areas while also examining stressors such as pollution, traffic congestion and lack of open spaces. The results show that areas with more green spaces usually have people with lower stress levels and a better sense of well-being. This research highlights the importance of green infrastructure in lowering urban stress. It suggests adding green engineering ideas into Chennai’s city planning will improvise both the environment and the people's stress level. This spatial study gives useful insights to urban planners, government officials and people working on sustainability, showing the need for fair and equal access to green spaces in fast growing cities like Chennai.