Overcrowding, noise and air pollution, long commutes and lack of daylight can take a huge toll on the mental wellbeing of city-dwellers. Covid-19 brought home just how much the spaces we occupy on a day-to-day basis can affect our mental health - we also need open spaces to drive down infection rates and to help people maintain their wellbeing, whilst providing spaces for us to connect with each other.
With mental healthcare services under increasing pressure, now's the time to seize the opportunity for a better approach to urban design and to find a solution.
“Restorative Cities” establishes a blueprint to better design our cities for mental health and wellbeing. It examines a range of strategies - from sensory architecture to place-making for creativity and community - offering an evidence-based approach for designers, planners, health practitioners and researchers alike.
The restorative city has seven pillars:
- The Green City - exposure to green spaces
- The Blue City - access to water ('blue spaces')
- The Sensory City - engaging the senses
- The Neighborly City - increasing social opportunities
- The Active City - integrating physical activity into everyday life
- The Playable City - all-age access to playful and creative activities
- The Inclusive City - design that accommodates everyone
Written by a psychiatrist and public health specialist, and an environmental psychologist with extensive experience of architectural practice, this book will prompt debate and inspire us to think about the positive potential of urban designs for mental wellbeing.
Event Details
Date: Monday, January 23, 2022
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST
Location: Online Event. RSVP on Eventbrite for Zoom details.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at communications@IHCDesign.org. Closed captioning will be provided.
About the Speakers
Jenny Roe
Dr. Jenny Roe is a Professor and Director of the Center for Design & Health in the School of Architecture, University of Virginia. An environmental psychologist and former head of Landscape Architecture for an international architectural practice, she writes, lectures, and consults for a wide range of academic and public audiences on human health-centered design for the built environment. She is an expert in restorative environments that support mental health including an important role for public parks and urban green space.
Layla McCay
Dr. Layla McCay is Director of the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health, Director of Policy at the National Health Service Confederation. A psychiatrist and health policy specialist, she has previously worked at the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the British Government’s Department of Health and Social Care, and several Non Governmental Organizations. She has held academic positions at Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University and is a regular health commentator in the media, from the Financial Times to the BBC. Last year she was named one of the world’s top 100 LGBT+ executives.
This webcast is part of the IHCD International Inclusive Design Webcast Series in Memory of Eliza Forrest Kaye Bromfield.
Eliza was a beloved member of the IHCD family. Through this series of public lunch & learn events that Eliza ran in her years with IHCD, we intend to honor her curiosity and enthusiasm for inclusive design.
We sincerely thank her loving family for their generous support of this lecture series.