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Pre-Conference Workshop, Urban Health, Xiamen, China

Date& Time: 5.11.2019, 9am
Location: School of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SACE 5), Xiamen University, #182 Da Xue Road,  Xiamen, China

With the growing interest among researchers, practitioners, and urban decision makers in the influence of the quality of the built environment on peoples’ health, there is increasing emphasis on using scientific knowledge to inform urban design, including methods of neuroscience. Current development of the
technology permits to study the brain response of people in-situ, using the wireless portable electroencephalography (EEG) devices.

Studies leveraging on the knowledge on the design theory, and affective neuroscience are part of emerging area of evidence-based design. It is of NeuroLandscape mission to advance the knowledge on this topic and promote use of rigorous scientific experimental designs in various contexts around the globe. This would allow replication of experiments while advancing the knowledge on causal relationships between the quality of living environments and mental health outcomes from the passive exposures to them.

We are hosting a 3 hour,  hands-on workshop

Application of neuroscience in urban planning and design. An introduction to the theory and practice of EEG experiment design, data collection, and analysis

Workshop program:
9:30 – Registration
9:45 – Introduction to EEG
10:00 – Experiments design in an urban context (theory + practical exercise)
11:00 – Equipment and data acquisition (theory + demo)
12:00 – Q&A session

The workshop is free of charge for the conference delegates. You can register here

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Elizabeth & Nona Evans Restorative Garden, a Garden for Contemplation

I have recently found a great piece of literature about designing urban gardens for well-being. “Restorative commons: Creating health and well-being through urban landscapes” by Campbell, Lindsay; Wiesen, Anne published in 2009 under USDA – Forest Service.

Here is the link to the online resource – available free pdf version!

What specifically caught my attention there is the description of the case example of the Elizabeth & Nona Evans Restorative Garden in Cleveland, a winner of a design charrette. Part of this design is a Garden for Contemplation, inviting specifically the elderly and persons with disabilities

The space is easy to comprehend and inviting to first-time visitors who discover smaller
more private spaces within. This verdant, quiet garden is gracious and
welcoming. It is lush; its colors calm and serene. The design reflects
the proportion, scale, and fine detailing of the adjacent handsome
modern limestone library

It is beautifully designed with consideration of all aspects of a contemplative model. One interesting aspect is that it contains poems in Braille’s language

The height of the pool in relation to the adjacent path was carefully considered to allow visitors to see
reflections of trees and sky whether sitting or standing. Behind it a fountain flows from the top of the low wall into a basin.

I encourage everyone to have a look at this chapter, and others, that bring the best available knowledge about the landscape design for Health and Well-being!

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