City Know-hows
Assessing the urban environment is crucial for enhancing mental well-being. It is imperative to identify relevant indicators and establish a comprehensive framework to measure the impact effectively. This approach is essential for initiating strategic interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes.
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Target audience
Urban designers and planners; Public health and healthcare professionals; Academicians, sociologists, and policy-makers.
The problem
Existing tools may not be directly applicable due to variations in environmental and cultural factors. The need for a context-specific framework to assess urban environments for mental well-being in India is crucial, given the unique physical and social dynamics of the country.
What we did and why
Examining and understanding the urban environment is pivotal for promoting mental well-being among residents. This involves not only recognizing the factors that contribute to mental health but also establishing a structured framework to gauge their influence. Developing a robust framework enables a systematic evaluation of various factors influencing mental well-being in urban settings, paving the way for informed decision-making and targeted initiatives.
Our study’s contribution
Creating a comprehensive framework involves designing a systematic approach to measure, analyze, and interpret the various elements that affect mental health within an urban context. This framework acts as a roadmap, providing a structured way to assess the multifaceted aspects of the urban environment, such as physical infrastructure, social dynamics, green spaces, noise levels, accessibility to essential services, and overall community support.
Impacts for city policy and practice
By developing and implementing this framework, policymakers, urban planners, and healthcare professionals can gain valuable insights into the specific aspects of the urban environment that contribute positively or negatively to mental well-being. This, in turn, facilitates evidence-based decision-making and the formulation of targeted strategies to address identified challenges and enhance positive influences.
Further information
Full research article:
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