Research on Health, Wellbeing, and Urban Design—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Urbanization is rapidly transforming our world, with over half of the global population now residing in cities—a number expected to reach 70% by 2050. Investments in health-based urban planning create enduring legacies for human wellbeing and, by designing cities prioritizing health, we ensure better living conditions for current and future generations. Urban design directly impacts air quality, which profoundly affects respiratory health; thoughtful planning can reduce pollution and enhance overall wellbeing; city planning intersects with population health; and researchers emphasize the need to address health disparities, physical activity, and access to green spaces. Urban design interventions can therefore yield immediate health benefits, making them essential to the creation of sustainable cities. In summary, research on health, wellbeing, and urban design is not merely an academic pursuit—it shapes our cities, influences our health, and ensures a sustainable future.

This second edition seeks original contributions that critically examine the evolution of health-oriented urban design, and submissions may address, but are not limited to, the below topics.

1. Holistic Assessment of Urban Health and Wellbeing:

We encourage interdisciplinary research integrating the fields of urban planning, public health, and the social sciences. By assessing factors like air quality, green spaces, walkability, social cohesion, and access to healthcare facilities, we can identify areas for improvement and shape a healthier urban future.

2. Green Building Practices:

Exploration of sustainable building materials, energy-efficient design, and strategies for minimizing environmental impact in urban areas. Investigate using green roofs, vertical gardens, and passive design principles to enhance well-eing and reduce pollution.

3. Smart Cities and Urban Technology:

Another critical area of interest is the analysis of how smart city technologies, such as IoT sensors, data analytics, and automation, can significantly improve urban living conditions. We encourage researchers to delve into this field and share their insights.

Topics of Interest

• Urban ecological infrastructure optimization;
• Spatial spillover effects in water management;
• Village homestead improvement potential;
• Rural housing governance and sustainability;
• Urban polycentricity and carbon performance;
• Resilience and sustainability in healthy cities;
• Green building market dynamics;
• Integrating health and well-being in urban design;
• Digital technology for rural security transformation;
• Historic and cultural district revitalization;
• Holistic assessment of urban health and well-being in smart cities;
• Historic districts;
• Urban health;
• Smart cities.

Prof. Dr. Wei-Ling Hsu
Dr. Kuo-Shun Sun
Dr. Hsin-Lung Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.