Biophilic Urbanism and the Psychological Impact of Green Spaces on Urban Social Cohesion

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Authors: Siddharth Mukherjee, Kavya Sundaram, Ishwar Dayal, Zoya Qureshi
Cited by: 0

Abstract

As global populations increasingly concentrate in hyper-urbanized environments, the psychological disconnect from natural landscapes has become a significant public health concern. This research explores the concept of Biophilic Urbanism—the strategic integration of natural elements into city planning—and its specific impact on community mental health and social cohesion. By conducting a comparative analysis of three distinct residential districts, the study evaluates how access to "High-Quality Green Spaces" (HQGS) influences stress levels, perceived loneliness, and neighborly trust. Our findings, based on physiological markers (cortisol levels) and psychometric surveys from 1,200 residents, indicate that proximity to integrated natural environments reduces chronic stress by 25% and significantly increases "Social Capital" scores. The paper argues that green infrastructure is not merely an aesthetic choice but a fundamental psychological necessity. We propose a "Psychologically Informed Urban Design" framework to mitigate the negative mental health outcomes of urban density in the late 2020s.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Urban Green Space and Health Urban Planning and Landscape Design Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Publication details

Publication date
25 February 2026
Language
EN