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Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being
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Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 13 September 2026 | Viewed by 11054

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yang Song

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Interests: behavior of places; physical activity and mobility; data science; public health
Dr. Jessica Fernandez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Environment and Design, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
Interests: people–place relationship; emerging technologies; human well-being
Dr. Pai Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Fine Arts, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
Interests: health and environment; urban resilience; healthy aging; landscape restoration; virtual reality; artificial intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of the Journal of Sustainability entitled "Sustainable Urban and Landscape Designs to Enhance Health and Wellbeing". As our global population ages and becomes increasingly urbanized, cities face numerous challenges, including resource constraints, climate change impacts, and growing socioeconomic disparities. In this context, the influence of urban environments on human health and wellbeing has emerged as a critical area of research and practice. Sustainable urban and landscape design offers promising solutions to these complex challenges, creating healthier, more livable cities while minimizing their environmental impact and promoting social equity.

This Special Issue aims to explore innovative approaches, best practices, and emerging trends in sustainable urban and landscape design that promote health and wellbeing. We seek to collect interdisciplinary perspectives from urban planning, landscape architecture, public health, environmental science, and related fields to address the multifaceted nature of this topic. By fostering a dialogue between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, we hope to advance our understanding of how urban environments can be designed and adapted to support human development in harmony with ecological and social systems.

Dr. Yang Song
Dr. Jessica Fernandez
Dr. Pai 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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Sustainability 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 2400 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

  • sustainability
  • health and well-being
  • urban design and planning
  • landscape architecture

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 1578 KB  
Article
Analysis of Differences in User Requirements for Child-Friendly Pocket Parks Based on the KANO–QFD Model: A Case Study of Nanjing, China
by Ruoyan Wang, Jiajie Cao and Ruiyuan Jiang
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3392; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073392 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 295
Abstract
In the context of rapid urbanization, pocket parks have become an important component of urban green infrastructure, supporting residents’ daily recreation, health, and well-being. However, existing pocket park designs are largely shaped by adult designers’ perspectives, with children’s needs often inferred or assumed [...] Read more.
In the context of rapid urbanization, pocket parks have become an important component of urban green infrastructure, supporting residents’ daily recreation, health, and well-being. However, existing pocket park designs are largely shaped by adult designers’ perspectives, with children’s needs often inferred or assumed rather than directly investigated. From a sustainability and health-oriented perspective, this study aims to enhance the functionality and user satisfaction of pocket parks by incorporating child-friendly design elements grounded in actual user demands. Based on the KANO model—an approach used to classify user requirements according to their influence on satisfaction—and Quality Function Deployment (QFD), questionnaire data were collected from 97 children aged 6–12 and 87 parents through field investigations in multiple pocket parks in Nanjing, China. The analysis focused on key dimensions including safety, fun, comfort, and multifunctionality. The results revealed clear differences between children’s and parents’ requirements. Children’s satisfaction is mainly influenced by diverse play spaces and opportunities for interaction with natural elements, while parents place greater emphasis on environmental comfort and facility practicality. Safety was identified as a critical factor for children, whereas social interaction functions were considered relatively less important by both groups. Based on these findings, this study identifies key design priorities for child-friendly pocket parks and provides practical strategies to improve overall park quality and user satisfaction, contributing to healthier and more socially sustainable urban environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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24 pages, 6343 KB  
Article
Visual Perception Promotes Active Health: A Psychophysiological Study of Micro Public Space Design in High-Density Urban Areas
by Ping Shu, Zihua Jin, Yaxin Li and Huairou Li
Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1298; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031298 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 472
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and spatial constraints in high-density residential areas pose significant challenges to public health and well-being. This study investigates the mechanisms by which the visual environment of urban micro public spaces shapes residents’ psychophysiological responses to encourage spontaneous physical activity and advance [...] Read more.
Rapid urbanization and spatial constraints in high-density residential areas pose significant challenges to public health and well-being. This study investigates the mechanisms by which the visual environment of urban micro public spaces shapes residents’ psychophysiological responses to encourage spontaneous physical activity and advance active health. Using machine learning and semantic segmentation, 9 core visual elements across 20 micro public space scenes in high-density urban neighborhoods were quantified. An immersive virtual reality (VR) experiment was conducted, collecting synchronized multimodal psychophysiological data from 60 participants, which yielded 600 valid observations. Through an analytical framework combining Self-Organizing Map (SOM) clustering and Random Forest (RF) modeling, three distinct functional archetypes were identified: Restoration-Supporting, Activity-Promoting, and Stress-Inducing. The Activity-Promoting archetype was most effective in fostering spontaneous activity intention, characterized by a high proportion of activity areas, a moderate sky view factor, and minimal physical barriers. RF modeling further pinpointed pedestrian density, activity area ratio, and green space ratio as key visual drivers of health-promoting outcomes. Based on these findings, a “Visual Activation for Active Health” framework is proposed. It posits that moderate visual-environmental stimulation is the core mechanism for transforming passive spaces into health-promotive settings, thereby establishing a theoretical foundation for the evidence-based design of healthy and sustainable urban environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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31 pages, 14028 KB  
Article
Longitudinal Mobility and Temporal Use Patterns in Urban Parks: Multi-Year Evidence from the City of Las Vegas, 2018–2022
by Shuqi Hu, Zheng Zhu and Pai Liu
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18021060 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 426
Abstract
Urban parks are central to public health and equity, yet less is known about how park travel distance, park “attractor” types, and time-of-day visitation rhythms co-evolved through and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using anonymized smartphone mobility traces for public parks in Las Vegas, [...] Read more.
Urban parks are central to public health and equity, yet less is known about how park travel distance, park “attractor” types, and time-of-day visitation rhythms co-evolved through and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using anonymized smartphone mobility traces for public parks in Las Vegas, USA (2018–2022), we construct weekly origin–destination flows between census block groups (CBGs) and parks and link origins to socio-economic indicators. We first estimate visitor-weighted mean travel distance with a segmented time-series model that allows pandemic-related breakpoints. Results show that average park-trip distance (≈8.4 km pre-pandemic), including a substantial share of long-distance trips (≈52% of visits), contracted sharply at the onset of COVID-19, and that both travel radii and seasonal excursion peaks only partially rebounded by 2022. Next, cross-sectional OLS/WLS models (R2 ≈ 0.08–0.14) indicate persistent socio-spatial disparities: CBGs with higher educational attainment and larger shares of Black and Hispanic residents are consistently associated with shorter park-trip distances, suggesting constrained recreational mobility for socially disadvantaged groups. We then identify a stable two-type park typology—local versus regional attractors—using clustering on origin diversity and long-distance share (silhouette ≈ 0.46–0.52); this typology is strongly related to visitation volume and temporal usage profiles. Finally, mixed-effects models of evening and late-night visit shares show that regional attractors sustain higher nighttime activity than local parks, even as citywide evening/late-night visitation dipped during the mid-pandemic period and only partly recovered thereafter. Overall, our findings reveal a durable post-pandemic re-scaling of park use toward more proximate, CBG-embedded patterns layered on enduring inequities in access to distant, destination-oriented parks. These insights offer actionable evidence for equitable park planning, targeted investment in high-need areas, and time-sensitive management strategies that account for daytime versus nighttime use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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25 pages, 8055 KB  
Article
On the Application of Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network for Daily Forecasting of PM2.5 in Dakar, Senegal (West Africa)
by Ahmed Gueye, Serigne Abdoul Aziz Niang, Ismaila Diallo, Mamadou Simina Dramé, Moussa Diallo and Ali Ahmat Younous
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5421; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125421 - 12 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1496
Abstract
This study aims to optimize daily forecasts of the PM2.5 concentrations in Dakar, Senegal using a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network model. Particulate matter, aggravated by factors such as dust, traffic, and industrialization, poses a serious threat to public health, especially in [...] Read more.
This study aims to optimize daily forecasts of the PM2.5 concentrations in Dakar, Senegal using a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network model. Particulate matter, aggravated by factors such as dust, traffic, and industrialization, poses a serious threat to public health, especially in developing countries. Existing models such as the Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) have limitations in capturing nonlinear relationships and complex dynamics in environmental data. Using four years of daily data collected at the Bel Air station, this study shows that the LSTM neural network model provides more accurate forecasts with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.2 μg/m3, whereas the RMSE for ARIMA is about 6.8 μg/m3. The LSTM model predicts reliably up to 7 days in advance, accurately reproducing extreme values, especially during dust event outbreaks and peak travel periods. Computational analysis shows that using Graphical Processing Unit and Tensor Processing Unit processors significantly reduce the execution time, improving the model efficiency while maintaining high accuracy. Overall, these results highlight the usefulness of the LSTM network for air quality prediction and its potential for public health management in Dakar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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18 pages, 92249 KB  
Article
Assessment of Urban Green Space Equity in Beijing’s Central Urban Villages: A Remote Sensing Perspective on Environmental Justice
by Qin Li, Wei Duan, Yutong Chen, Mengxiang Ma and Xiaodong Zheng
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4561; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104561 - 16 May 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3692
Abstract
Urban green space (GS) equity is crucial to achieving environmental justice. From the environmental justice perspective, this study focuses on the equity of GS in residential areas of urban disadvantaged groups, quantitatively assessing and comparing the fairness of GS usage between urban villages [...] Read more.
Urban green space (GS) equity is crucial to achieving environmental justice. From the environmental justice perspective, this study focuses on the equity of GS in residential areas of urban disadvantaged groups, quantitatively assessing and comparing the fairness of GS usage between urban villages (UVs) and formal residential quarters (RQs). Using data on green space area, NDVI, and FVC, this study analyzes GS conditions across different buffer distances within the central urban area of Beijing. Statistical methods, including the Theil index, were employed to evaluate the equity of per capita green space, vegetation coverage, and vegetation conditions. Our findings reveal distinct spatial distribution patterns of internal and external GS characteristics between UVs and RQs. Additionally, while the internal GS equity in UVs is generally lower than in RQs, FVC equity demonstrates the opposite trend. Finally, intra-group inequity in both UVs and RQs is the dominant factor contributing to overall GS disparities in residential areas. This study establishes a comprehensive evaluation framework for analyzing GS availability, NDVI, and FVC equity in two types of residential communities. It provides a valuable reference for subsequent GS equity assessments and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers to prioritize improving GS equity in certain residential areas. By addressing gaps in environmental justice theory regarding urban GS, this study proposes a pragmatic and effective approach to enhancing GS equity in large, rapidly developing cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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32 pages, 9539 KB  
Article
Study on the Relationship Between 3D Landscape Patterns and Residents’ Comfort in Urban Multi-Unit High-Rise Residential Areas: A Case Study of High-Density Inland City
by Yaoyun Zhang, Ge Shi, Ziying Feng, Entao Zheng, Chuang Chen, Xinyu Li, Difan Yu and Yunpeng Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4347; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104347 - 11 May 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1493
Abstract
As urbanization accelerates, the increasing density of urban buildings and the prevalence of multi-unit high-rise residential areas have emerged as significant factors affecting residents’ comfort. Effective green space planning within residential areas can mitigate residents’ thermal discomfort. This study utilizes methods including the [...] Read more.
As urbanization accelerates, the increasing density of urban buildings and the prevalence of multi-unit high-rise residential areas have emerged as significant factors affecting residents’ comfort. Effective green space planning within residential areas can mitigate residents’ thermal discomfort. This study utilizes methods including the construction of two-dimensional and three-dimensional landscape indices and meteorological data simulation to examine the relationship between residents’ comfort levels at various heights in residential buildings and the 3D landscape patterns of residential areas, based on semantic three-dimensional grid data from a residential complex in Wuhan. The results indicate that (1) The characteristics of 3D landscape patterns vary across different regions within multi-unit high-rise residential areas. The landscape patches in the central and southern regions are more balanced compared to other areas, while there is minimal height variation in residential buildings in the northeastern region. (2) There are notable differences in comfort levels at varying heights across different areas of the residential district. In summer, residents expressing satisfaction with environmental comfort are primarily located in high-rise buildings in the central-southern region, whereas in winter, satisfaction is concentrated among residents in lower and mid-rise buildings in both the northern center and southern areas. (3) The degree of landscape fragmentation, the dominance of certain patches, and the distribution of buildings and vegetation at different heights significantly influence residents’ comfort. Achieving a balanced distribution of green spaces, reducing building density, and ensuring a uniform arrangement of trees of varied heights can effectively enhance the living environment for residents on lower floors, providing practical strategies for the planning of green spaces and built environments that improve overall resident quality of life. This research provides a theoretical foundation and reference for evaluating thermal comfort in high-rise residential areas and optimizing green space configurations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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25 pages, 7864 KB  
Article
Green Space Exposure and Human Health: Gender-Specific Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Green Infrastructure for Elderly Residents in Cold-Climate Cities
by Tianheng Zhang, Yao Fu, Zitong Wang, Jian Gao, Tinghui Yang and Siyang Wang
Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2774; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062774 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1797
Abstract
Urban green infrastructure’s health impacts on aging populations remain understudied, particularly regarding gender-specific responses in cold-climate cities facing sustainability challenges. This study investigated how sustainable urban design supports healthy aging through a novel “static–dynamic” dual-temporal analysis framework. Through controlled field experiments with 345 [...] Read more.
Urban green infrastructure’s health impacts on aging populations remain understudied, particularly regarding gender-specific responses in cold-climate cities facing sustainability challenges. This study investigated how sustainable urban design supports healthy aging through a novel “static–dynamic” dual-temporal analysis framework. Through controlled field experiments with 345 elderly participants across three urban space types in Shenyang, China, we examined physiological indicators and psychological responses under winter conditions (4–8 °C), employing comprehensive environmental monitoring and health assessment protocols. Path analysis revealed that sustainable urban design influences health outcomes through both direct physiological pathways and indirect psychological mediation, with psychological states accounting for 56.3% of the total effect. Gender-specific analysis demonstrated that females exhibit higher environmental sensitivity (blood pressure variation coefficient: 0.171 vs. 0.079 for males) and stronger psychological mediation effects (β = −0.302 vs. β = −0.185 for males). The findings establish a theoretical foundation for implementing gender-responsive sustainable urban design strategies in cold-climate communities, demonstrating how green infrastructure can simultaneously address environmental sustainability and social equity goals while promoting healthy aging outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Designs to Enhance Human Health and Well-Being)
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