scholarly journals Can We Sustain Sustainability? A Critical Synthesis of Pertinent Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12753
Author(s):  
Jay L. Brand ◽  
Sally Augustin
Keyword(s):  
Human Behavior ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
William James ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Biophilic Design ◽  
Environmentally Responsible ◽  
Health And Well Being

Architects and designers, along with their corporate clients, generally embrace the importance of environmental stewardship, saving the earth’s ecosystem, and sustainable design. However, research is needed to link sustainable design with relevant human behavior (e.g., in corporate offices and educational settings) to ensure its enduring legacy. Regarding changing people’s behavior, the majority of human experience results from unconscious processes, i.e., brain–environment interactions not available to awareness; thus, in general, people cannot articulate the nature of these associations. Using theoretical roots stemming from William James and running through ecological psychology (e.g., James J. Gibson to Roger Barker), Harry Heft has argued that the influence of environmental design precedes conscious awareness and information processing. Assuming Heft’s conjecture, this implies that—if informed by biologically influential signals (e.g., biophilic design)—the design of the ambient physical environment may positively ‘nudge’ human behavior in ways useful to sustainability and sensitivity to the environment—although relevant critical perspectives suggest that dynamic conditions and contextual complexity may modify the potential of nudge theory applications. Still, could it be that sustainable design can improve human health and well-being? Research suggests that environmentally responsible and biophilic design may accomplish at least a few elements of this goal and perhaps also enhance some aspects of cognitive performance. Could this approach support environmental sustainability by linking sustainable design to its potential economic benefits via worker productivity or student success? If so, then the strategy of improving positive well-being through design aligns well with the goal of maintaining the long-term viability of the earth’s ecosystem.

scholarly journals POSSIBILITIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN INTERIOR DESIGN

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 627
Author(s):  
Ingūna Briede ◽  
Aina Strode
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Interior Design ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Health And Well Being

Sustainable design looks at the environmental, social and economic categories in interactions that deliver significant environmental and health solutions. Common trends in society show that sustainable thinking has not yet become a way of life and is fragmented. This justifies the need for both future and existing professionals – architects and environmental / interior designers – to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in designing and evaluating projects in aspects of sustainability that are related to public health and well-being. The aim of the article is to determine the criteria for the evaluation of sustainable design, which should be taken into account during the development and implementation of the interior design project. Research methods – theoretical – research and analysis of scientific literature.

scholarly journals HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnė Prochorskaitė ◽  
Vida Malienė
Keyword(s):  
Housing Policy ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Sustainable Housing ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Sustainability Principles ◽  
Health And Well Being

Sustainability of the built environment is an increasingly prominent concern in academic and policy discussions in the UK and EU. Initiatives such as the Code for Sustainable Homes in the UK have been developed to aid integration of sustainability principles into housing developments. Primary focus in this field has been largely on environmental sustainability (particularly energy efficiency) with less attention paid to social and economic factors. This article argues that health and well-being issues need greater consideration within current sustainable housing policy and developments. Three key reasons are presented in support of this argument: (i) Creation of greater market demand; public demand for sustainable buildings could be enhanced through greater promotion of the health and well-being benefits of sustainable housing: (ii) Time-scales; given the longevity of buildings, health considerations should be of paramount importance to avoid any possible future adverse effects: (iii) Indirect societal benefits; enhanced health and well-being can lead to wider societal and economic benefits such as lower healthcare costs. The paper then presents some of the seminal findings from health and housing literature review, outlining how these can be used to enhance sustainable housing policy and developments. The paper concludes by presenting the next stages of research.

scholarly journals Biophilic Design Patterns for Primary Schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12207
Author(s):  
Rokhshid Ghaziani ◽  
Mark Lemon ◽  
Paramita Atmodiwirjo
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Design Patterns ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
School Design ◽  
School Buildings ◽  
Biophilic Design ◽  
Natural Analogues ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

Existing frameworks for biophilic design have similar strategies and attributes as useful checklists for designers; however, the focus has been on adults rather than children, and there remains the need for more guidance related to school design by extension. The application of biophilia would be a design resolution in schools because of its impact on children’s health and well-being, which has been more important since the pandemic started; however, it remains quite unexplored in school design in many countries, including the UK. Biophilic design patterns can be used in school buildings and grounds for greater connectivity between spaces and nature in order to promote children’s well-being. This paper focuses on ten biophilic design patterns under two categories of ‘nature in the space’ and ‘natural analogues.’ This study presents the findings of case studies in various countries. The analysis focuses on the manifestations of biophilia to inform the application of biophilic design patterns for primary schools. Finally, this paper suggests how primary school children could be involved in a co-design process in order to evaluate biophilic design patterns.

scholarly journals Identifying and overcoming barriers to healthier lives

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riz Firestone ◽  
Tevita Funaki ◽  
Sally Dalhousie ◽  
Akarere Henry ◽  
Mereaumate Vano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Healthier Living ◽  
Sociocultural Experiences ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Improve Health

Understanding the key determinants of health from a community perspective is essential to address and improve the health and wellbeing of its members.  This qualitative study aimed to explore and better understand New Zealand-based Pasifika communities’ sociocultural experiences and knowledge of health and wellbeing. Fifty-seven participants were involved in six separate focus groups. Community coordinators co-facilitated and transcribed the discussions and conducted thematic analysis. The findings suggested two overarching themes: (1) ‘Pasifika experiences on poor health and well-being’: were based on sub-themes: (i) ‘recognisable issues’ (e.g., poor diet and lifestyle behaviours); (ii) ‘systemic issues’ that support the perpetual health issues (e.g., lack of knowledge and education) and; (iii) ‘profound issues’ that are often unspoken of and create long-term barriers (e.g., cultural lifestyle and responsibilities).  (2) ‘Hopes and dreams’ to improve health and well-being requires: (i) a family-centric approach to health; (ii) tackling systemic barriers; and (iii) addressing community social justice issues.  This study provides deepened insights on Pasifika communities’ understanding healthier living in the context of their cultural environment and family responsibilities. If we are to develop effective, sustainable programmes that prioritises health and well-being based on the needs of Pasifika communities, the findings from this study highlight their needs as step forward in overcoming barriers to healthier lives.

scholarly journals Social media and mental health: Reviewing effects on eudaimonic well-being

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Meier ◽  
Leonard Reinecke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Self Actualization ◽  
Resilience Factors ◽  
Omission Bias ◽  
Health And Well Being

Do social media affect users’ mental health and well-being? By now, considerable research has addressed this highly contested question. Prior studies have investigated the effects of social media use on hedonic well-being (e.g., affect and life satisfaction), psychopathology (e.g., depressive or anxiety symptoms), or psychosocial risk/resilience factors (e.g., loneliness, stress, self-esteem). Yet, public concern over social media effects often centers on more long-term negative outcomes, which may be better captured by indicators of eudaimonic well-being. Indeed, neglecting the eudaimonic side of well-being may have introduced outcome omission bias, since eudaimonia is both conceptually and empirically distinct from other dimensions of mental health and may be uniquely affected by social media use. Specifically, psychology currently theorizes eudaimonic well-being to be best represented by the experiences of (a) meaningfulness, (b) authenticity, and (c) self-actualization. A research synthesis of how social media use relates to these core indicators of eudaimonia is currently missing, however. We thus present a first narrative review that synthesizes both theoretical and empirical links between three key social media uses (i.e., active, passive, and “screen time”) and eudaimonic well-being. The synthesis shows that while there are indeed several plausible theoretical links, the evidence is too scarce and inconsistent to allow definitive conclusions at this time. We instead give recommendations for how the field can close important gaps by investigating whether social media afford or constrain opportunities to find meaning, live authentically, and grow as a person.

The Long-Term Effects of Solitary Confinement From the Perspective of Inmates

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 652-674
Author(s):  
Liat Tayer ◽  
Tomer Einat ◽  
Anat Yaron Antar
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Physical Aggression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Solitary Confinement ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Mental And Behavioral Disorders

This qualitative study analyzes the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners and the strategies used by them to cope with its difficulties. The findings indicate that solitary confinement is perceived as unfair and as intensifying hostile emotions and physical aggression, and that it is related to a range of long-term physiological, mental, and behavioral disorders. Three strategies are used to cope with the difficulties of solitary confinement: keeping to a ritualistic routine, a religious lifestyle, and physical exercise. We conclude that solitary confinement exacerbates the difficulties of detention and affects prisoners’ health and well-being for short and long terms.

6. The why of creativity

2021 ◽  
pp. 82-96
Author(s):  
Vlad Glăveanu
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Creative Expression ◽  
The Other ◽  
Creative People ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Different Levels

This chapter addresses why people engage in creativity. This question can be answered at different levels. On the one hand, one can refer to what motivates creative people to do what they do. On the other hand, the question addresses a deeper level, that of how societies today are built and how they, in turn, construct the meaning and value of creativity. Nowadays, people consider creativity intrinsically valuable largely because of its direct and indirect economic benefits. However, creative expression also has a role for health and well-being. Creativity also relates to meaning in life. The chapter then considers how creativity can be used for good or for evil.

Well being experiences in nature An emerging form of tourism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba Font Barnet ◽  
Marta Gemma Nel-lo Andreu
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Environmentally Responsible ◽  
Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Competitive Products ◽  
Health And Well Being

Tourism is a dynamic, constantly evolving activity that requires detecting consumer trends so that companies and destinations can adapt by offering new and improved competitive products and experiences. For the post-COVID-19 era, dominant projected trends suggest that consumers will be more attracted to authentic, environmentally responsible experiences in less touristy destinations and wide-open spaces. Natural areas and protected spaces rank among the clearest beneficiaries of such trends because they combine relaxation with environments conducive to social distancing as well as offering direct, positive impacts on human health and well-being. For all of those reasons, such spaces not only have the potential to offer new experiences closely related to well-being and the search for overall health but also face challenges to that end. Against that background, this chapter examines experiential tourism in relation to improved holistic well-being and provides examples of experiences in protected natural areas worldwide that offer physical, mental, social, environmental, spiritual, and/or emotional well-being.

Biophilic Design

2022 ◽  
pp. 46-74
Author(s):  
Gamze Satılmış ◽  
Özge Yalçıner Ercoşkun
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Biophilic Design ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Social Environmental

Humans by nature need contact with nature for their physical and mental health, productivity, and well-being. However, the natural habitat of modern humans has become the built environment where they spend most of their time. Unfortunately, most modern buildings and cities are places that are harmful to the environment, disconnected from nature, and estranged. Therefore, the need for biological contact with nature has become increasingly important in high-rise and urbanizing societies. In this context, in this study, the concept of biophilic (healing) design is explained; its physical, social, environmental, and economic benefits are revealed; and its advantages against the most important problems of the 21st century are discussed at different scales. By examining different world examples of biophilic cities and biophilic buildings, a matrix was formed, and biophilic design principles and the benefits used were evaluated. Finally, the difficulties in implementing the biophilic design are mentioned.

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