Buildings Webinar | Mental Health and Wellbeing in Built Environments, 25 March 2025

Welcome to our webinar on “Mental Health and Wellbeing in Built Environments”, jointly organised by Buildings (ISSN: 2075-5309), MDPI, and the Smart Cities and Infrastructure research cluster at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney. We are privileged to have three distinguished speakers sharing their insights on this crucial topic.

The mental health and wellbeing of workers in the built environment sector, including the construction industry, is of paramount importance. These workers often face unique challenges and stressors, such as high-stress environments, demanding physical labour, and exposure to hazardous conditions. Addressing their mental health needs is not only a matter of ethical responsibility but also essential for enhancing productivity, improving the overall performance of the sector and transforming the industry culture.

Moreover, the design and functionality of built environments, such as facilities and buildings, play a significant role in influencing the mental health and wellbeing of their users. Thoughtfully designed spaces can reduce stress and enhance overall quality of life.

Our speakers will delve into these topics, exploring how we can create healthier, more supportive environments for both workers and users. We hope that this webinar will inspire you to prioritise mental health and wellbeing in your projects and practices. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to an engaging and informative session.

Date: 25 March 2025 at 3:00 p.m. AEDT | 12:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 884 0287 4868
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Buildings-6

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Program:

Speaker/Presentation Title	Time in AEDT	Time in CST Asia
Assoc. Prof. Riza Yosia Sunindijo Chair’s Introduction Introduction to the School of Built Environment at UNSW Sydney	3:00–3:10 p.m.	12:00–12:10 p.m.
Prof. Susan Thompson Planning, Designing and Building a Health-Supportive Environment for All	3:10–3:30 p.m.	12:10–12:30 p.m.
Assoc. Prof. Carol Hon Mental Health Matters: Strategies to Manage Psychosocial Hazards in Construction	3:35–3:55 p.m.	12:35–12:55 p.m.
Prof. Michelle Turner How Does the 5-Day Work Week Impact Labour Productivity? Exploring the Perceptions of Australian Construction Workers	4:00–4:20 p.m.	1:00–1:20 p.m.
Q&A Session	4:20–4:40 p.m.	1:20–1:40 p.m.
Assoc. Prof. Riza Yosia Sunindijo Closing of Webinar	4:40–4:45 p.m.	1:40–1:45 p.m.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

Assoc. Prof. Riza Yosia Sunindijo, School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney, Australia;
Prof. Susan Thompson, School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney, Australia;
Assoc. Prof. Carol Hon, School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Australia;
Prof. Michelle Turner, School of Property, Construction, and Project Management, RMIT University, Australia.

Relevant feature papers:

“A Conceptual Framework to Promote the Transition to Positive Mental Health among Young Construction Workers”
by Samuel Frimpong, Riza Yosia Sunindijo, Cynthia Changxin Wang, Elijah Frimpong Boadu and Ayirebi Dansoh
Buildings 2023, 13(4), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13041025
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/4/1025

“Positive Impact of Prefabrication on the Mental Health of Construction Workers”
by Rasaki Kolawole Fagbenro, Riza Yosia Sunindijo and Chethana Illankoon
Buildings 2024, 12(2), 4025; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124025
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/4025

“Applying Systems Thinking to Research into Risk Factors Influencing Earthmoving Equipment Operation Safety in Construction Sites”
by Nazi Soltanmohammadlou, Carol K. H. Hon and Robin Drogemuller
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1978; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071978
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/7/1978

“How Does the Five-Day Work Week Impact Labour Productivity? Exploring the Perceptions of Australian Construction Workers”
by Michelle Turner, Helen Lingard and Payam Pirzadeh
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050787
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/787