How can urban planners integrate mental health and wellness into their work?

1 Understand the needs

The first step to integrate mental health and wellness into urban planning is to understand the needs and preferences of the people who live, work, and play in the city. Urban planners can use various methods to engage with the community, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, and participatory design. These methods can help urban planners to identify the sources of stress, anxiety, and isolation, as well as the opportunities for joy, relaxation, and connection in the city.

3 Create green and blue spaces

The third step to integrate mental health and wellness into urban planning is to create green and blue spaces. Green spaces are areas with vegetation, such as parks, gardens, and forests. Blue spaces are areas with water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Green and blue spaces can provide multiple benefits for mental health and wellness, such as reducing stress, improving mood, enhancing cognition, and facilitating physical activity. Urban planners should create green and blue spaces that are attractive, accessible, and diverse in the city.

4 Support active transportation

The fourth step to integrate mental health and wellness into urban planning is to support active transportation. Active transportation is any mode of travel that involves physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or public transit. Active transportation can improve mental health and wellness by increasing physical activity, reducing air pollution, enhancing social interaction, and providing exposure to nature. Urban planners should support active transportation by providing safe, comfortable, and convenient infrastructure and services in the city.

6 Monitor and evaluate

The sixth step to integrate mental health and wellness into urban planning is to monitor and evaluate. Urban planners should measure the impact of their interventions on mental health and wellness using various indicators, such as subjective well-being, mental disorders, social capital, and quality of life. Urban planners should also collect feedback from the community and stakeholders to assess their satisfaction and preferences. Monitoring and evaluating can help urban planners to learn from their experiences, improve their practices, and demonstrate their value in the city.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?