نوع مقاله : مقاله مروری
نویسندگان
1 دانشکده معماری و شهرسازی، دانشکده علم و صنعت ایران
2 دانشکده معماری و شهرسازی دانشگاه علم و صنعت ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Problem Statement:
The accelerated pace of urbanization in recent decades, accompanied by significant physical and social transformations in cities, has exerted multilayered and complex effects on the mental health of urban populations. Within this context, various components of the built environment—including access to green spaces, residential quality, population density, street layout, and levels of social cohesion—have been shown to meaningfully influence psychological well-being. These factors interact with broader socio-spatial dynamics, shaping mental health outcomes through both direct and indirect pathways. Although a growing body of empirical research has investigated these relationships, the field still lacks a comprehensive and integrative systematic review that identifies common patterns, synthesizes existing findings, and pinpoints remaining knowledge gaps.
Objective:
This study aims to conduct a systematic review of empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024that examine how physical and social elements of the urban built environment impact mental health. The goal is to extract causal mechanisms and identify evidence-based strategies for environmental and policy-level interventions.
Method:
Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, a structured search was carried out across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. After a multi-stage screening process of 575 initial records, 26 empirical studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for final analysis. Data were extracted using thematic synthesis and comparative analysis, categorized into major conceptual dimensions.
Findings:
The results highlight that factors such as urban greenness, housing quality, street design, and social cohesion positively influence mental health through mediators like reduced stress, enhanced social interaction, and stronger sense of belonging. These effects are particularly notable in densely populated urban areas and in developing country contexts.
Conclusion:
The review underscores the critical role of human-centered urban design and the value of evidence-informed policymaking in fostering mentally healthier cities. The proposed conceptual framework provides a foundation for future research and practical urban planning interventions.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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