Designing cities for mental wellbeing: Lessons from Mahabad’s pandemic experience

July 12, 2026

This study underscores an urgent need to elevate psychological well-being as a core priority for urban policymaking and development. Embedding human-centred design principles that foster social cohesion, provide restorative respites, and instill a localized sense of place can equip our rapidly urbanizing world with greater mental fortitude. Specific recommendations include promoting walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods with quality green infrastructure, protecting heritage architecture, and incentivizing vibrant public realms.

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Food behaviours vary by dwelling type, and by apartment characteristics

July 8, 2026

Food behaviours are associated with diet quality, a major risk factor for chronic disease. We compared the food behaviours of house residents and apartment residents, and apartment residents by characteristic. We found significant differences in meal purchasing behaviours and consumption of fruit and vegetables, which have short- and long-term implications for dietary health.

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Do more walkable neighbourhoods have less crime? Depends on the socioeconomic context

July 8, 2026

Our study wanted to know more about the relationship between neighborhood walkability and crime in New Orleans, generally finding that the relationship between the two depends on the level of walkability, type of crime, and socioeconomic conditions of the neighborhood. Walkability was related to less crime in economically impoverished neighborhoods. Improving walkability in economically disadvantaged areas may help reduce crime.

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