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Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design
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Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 7141

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wei-Ling Hsu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Jiaying University, Meizhou 514015, China
Interests: environmental science; building information modelling; urban and regional planning science; MCDM; construction management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kuo-Shun Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Air Transportation, Kainan University, No.1 Kainan Road, Luzhu District, Taoyuan City 33857, Taiwan
Interests: smart buildings; Internet of Things; construction management
Prof. Dr. Hsin-Lung Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate Institute Service Industries and Management, Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Hsinchu 30401, Taiwan
Interests: fuzzy theory; construction management; project management; transportation management; investment decision analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

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. 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 wellness. City planning intersects with population health. Researchers emphasize the need to address health disparities, physical activity, and access to green spaces. Urban design interventions can yield immediate health benefits, making them essential for sustainable cities. In summary, research on health, well-being, and urban design is not merely an academic pursuit—it shapes our cities, influences our health, and ensures a sustainable future.

We must therefore consider the impact of smart transportation systems, waste management, and energy grids on health and well-being. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Holistic Assessment of Urban Health and Well-being:

The holistic assessment of urban health and well-being. We encourage interdisciplinary research integrating urban planning, public health, and 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.

  1. Green Building Practices:

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

  1. 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.

Prof. Dr. Wei-Ling Hsu
Dr. Kuo-Shun Sun
Prof. 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.

Keywords

  • urban ecological infrastructure
  • spatial spillover
  • village revitalization
  • rural housing
  • polycentricity
  • carbon footprint
  • resilience
  • sustainability
  • green buildings digital technologies
  • historic districts
  • urban health
  • smart cities

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 53539 KiB  
Article
Gender Differences in Visual Perception of Park Landscapes Based on Eye-Tracking Technology: A Case Study of Beihai Park in Beijing
by Guaini Jiang, Shangwu Cao, Si Chen, Xin Tian and Min Cao
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2858; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162858 - 13 Aug 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Previous landscape design mostly relies on general standards, failing to fully consider gender differences in landscape visual perception, with relevant research still needing further exploration. This study takes Beijing’s Beihai Park as the research object, using five types of on-site-collected photos (water landscape, [...] Read more.
Previous landscape design mostly relies on general standards, failing to fully consider gender differences in landscape visual perception, with relevant research still needing further exploration. This study takes Beijing’s Beihai Park as the research object, using five types of on-site-collected photos (water landscape, plant landscape, architectural landscape, path landscape, and square landscape) as stimuli. Twenty males and twenty females participated in an eye-tracking experiment and a questionnaire survey to analyze gender differences in the visual perception of these five landscapes. The results show the following: (1) females show a “core–radiation” pattern, focusing on mid-short vision and environmental details; males focus on distant views and functional areas. (2) Females have slightly higher APD and fixation counts, with stronger cognitive/emotional fluctuations; males have longer total fixation time and more sustained attention. (3) Males prefer architectural/square landscapes, emphasizing functionality; females favor water/plant landscapes, prioritizing emotional connection with nature. (4) The total fixation time significantly impacts subjective evaluations; the average fixation duration is gender-neutral but uniquely affects evaluations of certain landscape types. This study has guiding significance for enhancing park landscapes’ inclusiveness and attractiveness, promoting different genders’ participation and satisfaction, and boosting space vitality and utilization efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design)
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28 pages, 3584 KiB  
Article
Potential of CNT-Enhanced Steel-Reinforced Concrete to Reduce the Impact of Water Management Facilities
by Marco Antonio Sánchez-Burgos, Aikaterini-Flora Trompeta and Pilar Mercader-Moyano
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2818; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162818 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 315
Abstract
The growth of urban areas and climate change affect the performance of water management, increasing the rate of flooding and decreasing the quality of available water. To address this issue, the sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) and conventional urban drainage systems (UDIs) must [...] Read more.
The growth of urban areas and climate change affect the performance of water management, increasing the rate of flooding and decreasing the quality of available water. To address this issue, the sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) and conventional urban drainage systems (UDIs) must be promoted. In both systems, grey infrastructure plays an important role, in the form of reinforced concrete tanks, filters, and water treatment plants. Nowadays, the use of reinforced concrete is a major contributor of the environmental impact of human activities environmental impacts. This study aims to assess the potential of nanoparticle-based concrete to mitigate the environmental impacts of water management facilities. To achieve this target, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was performed on a multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based concrete, and a conventional one. To evaluate the corresponding benefits, a Functional Unit has been defined representing a frequently used element in water management facilities. The conducted review found no similar research. It is noted that the functional units used in published studies on nanoproducts are usually defined for the production of mass units. This study, found that using MWCNT-based concrete reduced the weight of the steel reinforcement by 47%. This reduction in steel outweighs the environmental impacts corresponding to used MWCNTs. The impact scores obtained are significantly lower for the MWCNT-based concrete. Therefore, the use of this material is recommended in Water management facilities, only on an environmental basis. Further investigation is recommended into the economic viability of this use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design)
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25 pages, 9513 KiB  
Article
The Healthy City Constructed by Regional Governance and Urban Villages: Exploring the Source of Xiamen’s Resilience and Sustainability
by Lan-Juan Ding, Su-Hsin Lee and Shu-Chen Tsai
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2499; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142499 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 490
Abstract
China’s rapid urbanization has given rise to the phenomenon of “urban villages”, which are often regarded as chaotic fringe areas in traditional studies. With the rise of the concept of resilient cities, the value of urban villages as potential carriers of sustainable development [...] Read more.
China’s rapid urbanization has given rise to the phenomenon of “urban villages”, which are often regarded as chaotic fringe areas in traditional studies. With the rise of the concept of resilient cities, the value of urban villages as potential carriers of sustainable development has been re-examined. This study adopted research methods such as field investigations, in-depth interviews, and conceptual sampling. By analyzing the interlinked governance relationship between Xiamen City and the urban villages in the Bay Area, aspects such as rural housing improvement, environmental governance, residents’ feedback, geographical pattern, and spatial production were evaluated. A field investigation was conducted in six urban villages within the four bays of Xiamen. A total of 45 people in the urban villages were interviewed, and the spatial status of the urban villages was recorded. This research found that following: (1) Different types of urban villages have formed significantly differentiated role positionings under the framework of regional governance. Residential community types XA and WL provide long-term and stable living spaces for migrant workers in Xiamen; tourism development types DS, HX, BZ, and HT allow the undertaking of short-term stay tourists and provide tourism services. (2) These urban villages achieve the construction of their resilience through resisting risks, absorbing policy resources, catering to the expansion of urban needs, and co-construction in coordination with planning. The multi-cultural inclusiveness of urban villages and their transformation led by cultural shifts have become the driving force for their sustainable development. Through the above mechanisms, urban villages have become the source of resilience and sustainability of healthy cities and provide a model reference for high-density urban construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design)
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22 pages, 2875 KiB  
Article
Aesthetic Appreciation Is Different: Aesthetic Pleasure in Architectural Aesthetics
by Lei Pei and Zihao Cao
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040543 - 11 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1910
Abstract
Architectural aesthetics is often studied with a focus on the visual properties of buildings, yet the role of individual aesthetic appreciation abilities in shaping aesthetic pleasure remains overlooked. This study challenges the traditional object-centric perspective by investigating how aesthetic appreciation ability influences architectural [...] Read more.
Architectural aesthetics is often studied with a focus on the visual properties of buildings, yet the role of individual aesthetic appreciation abilities in shaping aesthetic pleasure remains overlooked. This study challenges the traditional object-centric perspective by investigating how aesthetic appreciation ability influences architectural aesthetic pleasure through aesthetic judgment. Using Hui-style architecture, a distinctive architectural style originating from the Huizhou region in southern China, as the representative case, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 453 participants. Regression analysis was applied to examine the moderating effects of aesthetic judgment (variety, unity, novelty, and typicality) on the relationship between aesthetic appreciation ability and aesthetic pleasure. The results reveal that individuals with high aesthetic appreciation ability experience greater aesthetic pleasure when exposed to diverse and novel architectural elements. In contrast, those with low aesthetic appreciation ability respond primarily to novelty, showing limited sensitivity to other aesthetic judgments. These findings highlight the nuanced interplay between personal aesthetic capacities and architectural experience, offering valuable insights for artists, architects, and educators seeking to cater to diverse aesthetic preferences and enhance public engagement with architectural beauty. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design)
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28 pages, 16277 KiB  
Article
Urban Spatial Naturalness Degree in the Planning of Ultra-High-Density Cities: The Case of Urban Green Open Spaces in Macau
by Jitai Li, Fan Lin, Hongcan Cui, Shuai Yang and Yile Chen
Buildings 2025, 15(2), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020206 - 11 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1749
Abstract
This study deeply examines the livable environment in high-density cities like Macau, focusing on urban green spaces. The study introduces the “urban spatial naturalness degree” indicator, exploring its application with urban population growth and green space expansion. The research utilizes the planning indicator [...] Read more.
This study deeply examines the livable environment in high-density cities like Macau, focusing on urban green spaces. The study introduces the “urban spatial naturalness degree” indicator, exploring its application with urban population growth and green space expansion. The research utilizes the planning indicator of “urban spatial naturalness degree”, and then explores the application paradigm of matching increments between urban population growth and green open space and a bottom-line planning indicator suitable for Macau. Among them, the “USND” indicator is defined as “the visual perception rate of blue and green natural elements in the three-dimensional space of urban land”, which is specifically expressed as “the average function of the occupation rate of urban green open space and the visibility rate of blue–green space of main street scenes”. Based on this, this paper estimates the incremental planning indicators of green open space in Macau and various urban areas during the implementation of the Master Plan of Macau (2020–2040). The results show the following: (1) The study found that the land increment in green open space in Macau basically matches the potential of reserve resources. (2) For Class I and Class II urban areas in Macau, the USND value is estimated to be 42.96% and 32.62% in 2040, respectively. These values are expected to reach the international excellent level. (3) For Class III and Class IV urban areas, the USND values could reach 20.14% and 15.14%, respectively, which are considered to be at the international middle level in 2040. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design)
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22 pages, 1047 KiB  
Article
Examining the Impacts of House Prices on Self-Rated Health of Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Subjective Well-Being
by Min Wang, Zixuan Tan, Ruying Chen and Xuefang Zhuang
Buildings 2025, 15(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010053 - 27 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 945
Abstract
As the global aging trend increases, older adults are placing greater emphasis on their health. Evidence indicates that there is a complex association between house prices and older adults’ health, with their subjective well-being potentially acting as a mediator in this connection. A [...] Read more.
As the global aging trend increases, older adults are placing greater emphasis on their health. Evidence indicates that there is a complex association between house prices and older adults’ health, with their subjective well-being potentially acting as a mediator in this connection. A mediation model, utilizing data from China’s 2018 Labor Dynamics Survey, was employed to examine the impact pathway of house prices, subjective well-being, and self-rated health, while investigating the differences between young-old and old-old groups. The major findings are as follows: (1) House prices negatively affected self-rated health among the older adults. (2) The subjective well-being of older adults mediated the pathway through which house prices affected their self-rated health. (3) For old-old adults, higher house prices were more strongly linked to an increased likelihood of reporting good, very good, or excellent health. Subjective well-being was more significantly associated with reporting better health among the young-old group. Compared with the young-old population, the impact of house prices on self-rated health was stronger among the old-old, and the degree increased with increasing age. Consequently, to improve older adults’ well-being and self-rated health, effective healthy-aging policies should not only consider the influence of the real estate market, but also balance the allocation of elderly service facilities, promote affordable housing, and implement a combination of medical and nursing care from the perspective of urban planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Health, Wellbeing and Urban Design)
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