Biophilic urbanism is the new frontier in community health
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EmailPromoting biophilic urbanism in master planning is one way that planners can work to positively impact the health of a community.
The built environment of a community or city plays a large role in the health of the residents who live within them. Environments that make it hard or unpleasant for pedestrians and cyclists discourage physical activity. Lack of access to nature or natural elements in a community can also have negative effects on the mental health of residents.
“Biophilic design” or “urbanism” could be one part of a solution to unhealthy cities. Edward O. Wilson popularized the term “biophilia” as the “idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.” This hypothesis is one explanation for why you feel relaxed lounging on a beach, listening to waves crashing on the shore. Or why fully immersing yourself in nature, going camping or hiking, can make you feel more grounded.
The great outdoors has been a catch-all prescription for poor mental and physical health for centuries. However, as communities continue to develop and urbanize, quality natural environments may be hard to find or access for residents. Balancing this urbanization with our human need and desire for nature is important for the health and well-being of a community.
Biophilic urbanism takes a different approach to the traditional built environment. This type of urban design incorporates elements of the natural world into the built environment to reconnect residents with nature and make communities more sustainable and resilient.
Elements of biophilic urbanism include green walls and roofs, water features, natural materials, abundant light, and designs that mimic natural forms and patterns. Increasing opportunities for residents to interact or experience nature in any form has benefits on one’s health. Spending time in nature has been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and foster social connections.
Green space is one of the most commonly known elements of biophilic urbanism. The amount of green space in a community can be increased in a variety of ways, including by planting trees and other vegetation along streets or redeveloping vacant lots into “parklets.” Added green space is great for the health of the environment as well as residents. People interact more with nature as they move about the community while trees and vegetation improve air quality, lower ambient temperatures, and mitigate runoff.
These green spaces can also serve as third spaces, which are important for the vitality of a community. Residents can spontaneously gather, interact, and just enjoy company in a common space. Parks are great third places because they are completely free, making them more accessible than indoor spaces. With parks, residents from all generations and backgrounds can interact and enjoy space together, fostering social cohesion in a community.
Green corridors are another example of biophilic urbanism that can improve a community’s health. These multipurpose spaces connect green space throughout a community creating safe, natural connections for wildlife and people to traverse through. They encourage active transportation and foster biodiversity. Walking or cycling through a green corridor as opposed to a busy main road offers a safer and more pleasant experience for residents. Making active transportation modes more viable and accessible options for residents contributes to a more physically active and healthy population.
We want our communities to be healthy and sustainable places that residents feel connected to and take pride in. Biophilic urbanism is one tool that planners and planning commissioners can use to strengthen the health of our communities. If you’re in the process of updating your community’s master plan, incorporating some biophilic design elements is a great place to start. Goals and objectives dealing with green space, active transportation networks, and community are all aspects of biophilic urbanism that could be addressed in plans. Other types of plans, such as transportation and parks and recreation plans, may have some biophilic urbanism elements already in them that could be expanded or highlighted further.
