Have you ever wondered why vacation destinations often feature a natural landscapes? And if you can find this type of natural paradise right here in Singapore?
With support from Singapore’s National Parks Board, the Mind Art Experiential Lab of the National University of Singapore’s Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre has curated the “Nature’s Embrace: A Gift to the Mind” exhibition. The exhibition is open for appointment-based viewing until September 2024. It allows visitors to explore the connection between nature and mental well-being through serene visuals and calming nature melodies. Not to mention, it also provides techniques that can improve the mind-body-nature connection that you can try at home.
Nature’s gifts
Upon entering the exhibit, visitors are greeted by a panel mapping the effects of urban nature on health, ranging from physical well-being and social interactions to mental health. This isn’t an easy feat to illustrate, but the aesthetically pleasing, forest-themed visuals and bite-sized text do the job well.
The exhibit then introduces visitors to the concept of “mindfulness.” Here mindfulness is defined as the awareness that comes from paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgemental manner. By slowing down and becoming more aware of our thoughts and surroundings, we can acknowledge and process them, rather than leaving them to accumulate.
The next exhibition panel demonstrates how nature can facilitate mindfulness by offering restorative settings that engage our senses with soothing features. This provides a break from everyday stressors and allows us to recharge. Imagine the sounds of birds singing in the morning or water trickling down a small waterfall as you stroll amongst lush greenery. Add in a light breeze and subtle flowery scents. These elements bring our attention back to the present, moving us away from the worries of the day.
Panel introducing the features of nature that help facilitate mindfulness.
The exhibition features leading studies conducted by the center on the health benefits of nature on the citizens of Singapore. These include the effects of therapeutic gardening, such as a local 10-week therapeutic horticulture program, on the motor, cognitive, and psycho-social well-being of older adults.
But how do we translate these findings to improve the spaces around us? Dr. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo’s study on urban green spaces does just that, identifying landscape features that improve mood and boost brain activity. These features, such as high perceived biodiversity and multiple landscape layers, elevate inner calmness, reduce distracting thoughts, and help the mind process information in a clear and neutral manner. This research led to the development of the Contemplative Landscape Model, which is now used to design parks in Singapore to enhance their restorative effects.
The seven Contemplative Landscape Model features that can be seen in nature.
Seeking Solace in the Forest
Picture this. Lush, multi-layered tropical vegetation surrounding a wall with a gentle stream of water flowing down. You can even hear the sound of water as it makes its way across the panel. The “Nature’s Embrace Water Feature” is an installation that engages all the senses of visitors, reflecting the tranquil effects of a forest.
Nearby is the Tropical Paludarium, showcasing a naturalistic representation of what we would typically imagine in a tropical forest river channel. The transparent glass reveals a vertical cross-section, from the canopy layers of vegetation above to the extensive roots reaching into the fine sand and rocks below. This cross-section allows visitors to appreciate the biodiversity and elements that create a healthy ecosystem.
A panel behind the Tropical Paludarium explains the practice of forest bathing, Shinrin-yoku. Originating from Japan, Shinrin-yoku offers physical and mental health benefits when done mindfully, even in Singapore’s highly urbanized landscape. The study conducted by the center found that regular guided forest bathing walks can reduce backaches, lower blood pressure and anxiety, as improve sleep, empathy, and positivity.
Shiinrin-yoku’s health benefits study on Singapore’s population.
The landscape then makes a drastic shift to a mostly white and open installation. The Dry Garden replicates the Japanese stone gardens, Karesansui. With its distinct five-stone arrangement, it evokes the ripple effect of water. The open spaces and white-grey colors create a sense of peaceful silence, demonstrating how different natural landscapes can positively affect us.
Bringing Nature and its Gifts to our Living Spaces
In the middle of the exhibition space, visitors are introduced to nature-based activities that enhance mindfulness. Besides gardening, therapeutic horticulture activities can be done indoors, such as creating terrariums and moss art. By immersing in micro-landscaping, visitors can engage their focus and usually hidden creativity, evoking a sense of exploration and, eventually, a sense of achievement.
Moss art created by the exhibition’s visitors framed for the public.
For a less nature-based activity, mandala creation and meditation combine the effects of the open, circular formation seen in Japanese stone gardens with the self-expression and engagement of horticulture activities, promoting contemplation, creativity, and relaxation. The exhibition also offers paid terrarium and forest bathing workshops for those interested.
Beautiful mandala art pieces produced by some of the exhibition’s visitors.
Through this short immersive experience, visitors learn different ways to improve their well-being using the healing features of nature. More importantly, it reminds us that these urban green spaces are worth protecting and rehabilitating for both the Earth’s and our well-being.
“The important thing to understand is that a hospice is not a place where people die, but rather a place where they live – their final stage of life.”
Palliative care is a specialized form of healthcare that focuses on quality-of-life care for those with chronic, life-limiting conditions. This care most often includes counseling sessions, symptom management, movement practices, creative therapies such as music or art, as well as spiritual or emotional guidance. The facilities are designed to act as “healing spaces,” blending aesthetics with practical aspects of comfort and safety for patients, staff, and visitors.
From the micro details of color palettes and the homeliness of kitchens to the angle, size, and position of windows allowing natural light and views of the outdoors, every indoor element of these places is thoughtfully considered. However, while there is extensive literature on the restorative effects of nature on patients, less attention has been given to the quality of the natural landscape as a critical factor in the therapeutic equation.
In the following interview, we explore the importance of landscape architecture in creating therapeutic (contemplative) spaces within hospices. Our guest, Anna Artemeva, is a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), specializing in sustainable urbanization. Originally from Russia, Anna now finds inspiration in the blend of the natural and the urban in her new home of Stockholm, Sweden.
Interview with Anna Artemeva, a landscape architect based in Sweden.
AB: To get started, could you share a brief introduction about yourself and your first steps into the world of landscape architecture, particularly with a focus on therapeutic landscapes?
AA: My name is Anna Artemeva. I’m originally from Russia, but I’ve now lived in Stockholm for about 7 years. In Russia, I studied interior design and landscape architecture. However, I primarily worked as an interior designer on public and private projects. When I moved to Sweden, I decided to shift my career focus towards landscape architecture. I was fascinated by how landscape architects create such beautiful environments here. I pursued a Master’s program in Landscape Architecture for Sustainable Urbanization at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
AB: Can you describe a specific experience in nature that sparked your interest in landscape architecture?
AA: My life in Russia gave me two different experiences that I believe really shaped my interest in landscape architecture. I grew up in Chelyabinsk. So, I was surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Ural Mountains and the crystal-clear, incredibly beautiful lakes. However, at the same time, Chelyabinsk itself is a city with severe environmental issues, especially air pollution. It’s a big city with poor urban infrastructure.
So, there is this contrast between the natural and the urban environment. The experience of growing up with both of these worlds really pushed me to want to learn more about cities and how to build nice environment. I could feel how it affects you if you live in such a harsh city environment.
I think what initially drew me to using design to improve people’s well-being especially through nature is my experience living in Sweden and Stockholm. Stockholm is such a good example of this – a city where there’s a union between nature and the city. So, I’m really interested in understanding these processes. How it can happen, how it affects people, and how we can create these types of environments.
AB: Your thesis focused on the application of the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) developed by our founder, Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, at Mellanorrlands Hospice. Why were you inspired to explore the use of landscapes for therapy in hospice care?
AA: I was drawn to hospice care because it offered a unique context and specific needs. Here, creating therapeutic landscapes wasn’t simply desirable, but of necessity. It’s not about creating fancy landscapes. They need landscapes that genuinely support their patients.
I felt connected to the philosophy of hospice care. Especially the fact that they are built to allow their guests live their life as fully as possible. I wanted to support this and this is where therapeutic landscapes came in.
Mellanorrlands Hospice during the springtime, side view. Photo Credit: Anna Artemeva.
AB: What initially drew you to study Mellanorrlands Hospice as a subject for exploring CLM?
AA: What initially drew me to Mellanorrlands Hospice and not another hospice as a subject for exploring CLM? It’s quite simple. It was the only hospice I could establish a connection with. I conducted a lot of research into the hospices here in Sweden. There are great examples in southern Sweden, but they were too far away.
Mellanorrlands Hospice was not only geographically accessible, but they were very willing to cooperate and give me the opportunity to work with a specific spot on their premises. I’m incredibly grateful for their willingness to participate. There was a moment when I thought, “Oh my God, I will probably write my thesis without a subject.” So, I’m really very thankful that they answered and were so open and kind.
AB: Could you tell me a little more about Mellanorrlands Hospice itself? How would you describe its environment (rural, urban, etc.)? Does the surrounding landscape play a role in the overall therapeutic experience, and if so, how? Who are the typical patients that receive care at the hospice? Can you profile them?
AA: Mellanorrlands hospice is located in Sundsvall, a Swedish town north of Stockholm. The hospice itself is located on the shore of Lake Sidsjön on the border between the city and a nature reserve. It is positioned in the urban area, next to a residential area with a school, a hospital, a sports club, and hotel. However, the hospice and nursing home are deliberately set apart, separated by a road and a forest. This separation helps to orient it towards the beautiful, hilly landscape of the nature reserve, offering stunning views down to the lake.
The surrounding landscape plays a large part in the therapeutic experience of patients. The hospice is designed so that all patient rooms face the natural landscape. These rooms not only offer beautiful views, but each has its own access to a common terrace with an open view of the valley. On the hospice website there is a testimonial from one of the patient’s daughter. She notes how her father cherished the view from the window, watching the ice melt and spring arrive from his bed. He watched these views daily in the last spring of his life.
“Dad’s room was fantastic, as I realized over time,” she writes. “It had a wonderful view of the lakeside. From his bed, he could watch the ice send off and spring come in for the last time.”
The important thing to understand is that a hospice is not a place where people die, but rather a place where they live out their final stage of life. The most frequent diagnosis of hospice patients at Sundsvall is cancer. In 2021, only 8% of patients were diagnosed with non-cancer. The average age of patients is 73. In 2021, the youngest patient was 41 and the oldest was 92. What we learn is, hospice patients are very diverse in age and spend anywhere from a few weeks, to months, to a whole year in care. The condition and mobility of the patients can also vary quite a lot. They can be quite independent, as well as those who need specialized cage and struggle to move without using a wheelchair or there are those who lie on a bed the whole day.
Despite the varied backgrounds and conditions, what these individuals share in common is that, with the proper medical care and anesthesia, they can and want to live their lives to the fullest.
Mellanorrlands Hospice during the springtime, front view. Photo Credit: Anna Artemeva.
AB: Can you walk me through the process of using the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) to design a space for hospice patients? Maybe use an example from Mellanorrlands Hospice?
AA: Let’s do it. The first step using CLM is to understand the view which specific view to focus on. In my case at Mellanorrlands Hospice, it was very easy to find this spot because there was a central area that was most usable for both patients and staff. This is where they often relax, chat, and just spend time with loved ones. So, it was definitely this point where I could work with the landscape and a very specific view.
The next step was to evaluate the existing view using the Contemplative Landscape Model guide. It’s a step-by-step guide where you answer the questions and receive a score for each element. In my case, the landscape scored well in some elements like typical and archetypal elements, a good visible and recognizable character, peace and silence, and a natural and harmonious color palette.
However, some important elements like layers of landscape, biodiversity, and land forms weren’t well represented in the landscape. This resulted in an overall average contemplative score. This meant this particular landscape couldn’t provide a good stress reduction atmosphere.
So, the last step was to develop a design proposal that addressed these weak elements and increased the overall contemplation score. Here, it was important to think about specific design solutions that were necessary for the group of users. For instance, many patients in the hospice use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. That was why my design proposal focused on creating the landscape by using trees instead of other plants. Plants placed on a lower level wouldn’t be very accessible for these people. This highlighted another interesting aspect of the CLM framework.
AB: What surprised you the most about the challenges of designing a therapeutic landscape?
AA: You know, the biggest surprise came during a discussion about my thesis. I wanted to find an approach with a strong scientific basis, ideally something that has a medicine base. My goal was to really prove that this approach could lead to design a stress-reducing environment.
Some landscape architecture professors were very skeptical that it’s possible at all to scientifically prove that an environment can be stress reducing. This led me to believe that many professors may not be very familiar with neurobiology and cognitive science. It seemed to be they were unaware that today’s research can now design experiments that clearly demonstrate how this landscape can have an effect on stress reduction.
So, this skepticism was the most surprising moment for me. Before I found the Contemplative Landscape Model, there were very few articles and papers that provided enough that can be used in cases where you need to create a very specific environment for stress reduction.
AB: In your thesis, you proposed further research to refine CLM for wider applications. Can you elaborate on some specific areas you’d like to see explored to strengthen the model?
AA: Absolutely. I’d be very interested in knowing more about the dynamics that happen in the process. So in the research papers, the practitioners creates experiments where they used a mechanism that let them see this process played out in the brain. But what I’m trying to say is that a person just comes and observes a landscape, and we don’t know what’s going on.
What if someone observes this landscape not just that day, but for weeks, months and years? Because our brains can adapt pretty well to all environments, and I believe there could be some changes that happen if a person observes a landscape over longer periods of time. So I’d like to see how that looks.
Another thing that’s very important for me as a landscape architect is to investigate if the framework that exists right now with this guide system is good enough for landscape architects to implement this method. I found that there’s a very subjective process that happens when you answer the questions.
What if I someone with a different background than myself, maybe someone who lives here and has fallen in love with this landscape, how would they answer the questions? And I observed that some questions I could have answered differently. So, it would be great to see this instrument in a more objective framework.
Mellanorrlands Hospice during the wintertime. Photo Credit: Anna Artemeva.
AB: Building on your research, what advice can you offer to landscape architects who want to design therapeutic spaces in other healthcare settings or even public areas?
AA: That’s quite a tricky question. Build on my experience, I’d say that I need more context. For instance, the specific location and the user group. But I can definitely recommend looking into the Contemplative Landscape Model. It has a really good set of questions and detailed descriptions for each element that can influence a landscape’s impact. This framework can inspire landscape architects and encourage them to develop their own questions specific to the project. They can then create better therapeutic environments, I believe.
AB: Your research highlights the connection between nature and well-being in hospice care. Can you translate this concept into actionable steps for our audience who might be interested in creating a more therapeutic outdoor space in their own homes or gardens?
AA: I’m not sure if my my experience can be directly applied in this way. Especially when we’re talking about private gardens, because one of the important elements in a stress-reducing landscape is biodiversity, and biodiversity is often combined with natural colors. But in private gardens, I believe people often prefer a more colorful environment.
So again, maybe it’s a good idea to read Neuroscientists for Design in Green Space and learn from the experiences there, and make your own experiment. Understand what kind of therapeutic garden you’d like to create, and just just to do it! Experiment! With this approach, remember that a landscape is always a process. It’s not just about the results. So, enjoy the process!
AB: During your research, how did your personal views or feelings about nature and healing evolve?
AA: I have always enjoyed being outside. I spend a lot of my free time closer to nature. Now, I realize even more that being in nature can be a tool for stress management. If I am in a stressful situation, I look for open spaces with inspiring views. I understand now how important it is to spend even more time in a calming landscape.
AB: Can you share a story about how your interactions with patients or staff at Mellanorrlands Hospice influenced your approach to the project?
AA: Absolutely. One specific interaction with a patient really stands out in my mind. During a visit, the hospice staff asked me to talk with a woman because she and her husband spoke primarily Russian and little Swedish. We had a great conversation about a lot of different things. The woman had difficulty holding her head up because she had recently had surgery. So, she was mostly resting her head on the headrest.
As we talked, I asked her where in the landscape her gaze fell most naturally. Surprisingly, she pointed to a completely different spot than the one I had identified initially. This small change in the angle of the head position really affected her relationship with the landscape and her perspective. This experience pushed me to think deeper about other unique needs and limitations people face in this period of their life.
AB: Can you elaborate on the specific “gazing point” the woman identified?
AA: In general, I was talking about the difference between a healthy person’s perception of the landscape and a person with physical limitations. In the initial design process, I analyzed the therapeutic garden through the lens of a healthy person. That is, I looked at elements for contemplating and reflecting that naturally attracted my attention, what was missing, how my gaze wandered through the landscape, where it stopped.
However, when talking to this patient who had difficulty keeping her head upright and so spent most of her time resting her head on the headrest with her head slightly tilted, I realized that her process of contemplation – how her gaze wandered across the landscape and where it lingered and stopped – was different from mine.
I haven’t had the opportunity to further fully research and develop this specific question in more detail. It was an important moment of realization. In my work, I’ve always kept in mind that the landscape should interact both with people with no mobility limitations and with people with mobility limitations. I also tried to take into account factors such as a patient’s depressive state and their experiencing an existential crisis.
From this point of view, it was encouraging to see how a contemplative landscape showed positive effects on people with depression. But internally, the question remained: what other physical changes, brought on by illness, could have a significant impact on the perception of the landscape that I hadn’t taken into account.
AB: What were some of your most significant personal challenges during this research, and how did you overcome them?
Personally, it was very challenging to write my thesis. It was my first major research paper, and I struggled to find enough people to have discussions related to my topic. Unfortunately, I didn’t find many opportunities to discuss my topic. But I use all the opportunities I get to discuss my topic with anyone open to it.
Snowy landscapes at Mellanorrlands Hospice. Photo Credit: Anna Artemeva.
AB: I am curious to hear about the reception of your research topic and final design. How did the patients, staff members, and even your teachers and fellow students react to your work on therapeutic landscapes at Mellanorrlands Hospice?
AA: There was a lot of interest amongst fellow students in the method itself. For most of them, it was entirely new, and they wanted to learn more about its use and the evidence supporting it.
The topic of the hospice center was also interesting to the teachers. Because the topic is not common, people don’t often get to work with it in depth. They hear about it, discuss it, and can really immerse themselves in the topic. It seems to me there is a common misconception: “Hospice is a place where people die”, which gives rise to certain associations.
Just a year ago, there was a situation where people opposed building a hospice in their neighborhood. I think if people realized that a hospice is a place where people live, they might be less likely to protest.
So, we had a lot of discussions with the teachers about the philosophy and specifics of palliative care, and the unique relationship between hospices and landscape design.
AB: Being at the beginning of your journey into landscape architecture, what reflections can you share about how you see the future of landscape architecture evolving, particularly in the context of therapeutic and contemplative spaces?
AA: I would definitely like to see more collaboration between landscape architecture and other fields, especially neurobiology and cognitive science. And I believe that landscape architecture can gain a lot of useful tools from these collaborations, and maybe rethink existing tools and approaches in a more efficient way.
AB: What advice would you give to communities or institutions looking to integrate therapeutic landscapes into their environments?
AA: First of all, it’s definitely important to do research and understand the needs. This means conducting thorough research to understand the specific needs and preferences of the community or institution. Consider factors such as the cultural backgrounds and even the health issues of the community.
Find the right experts to collaborate with is also very important. Landscape architects, environmental psychologists, or even other relevant experts in this field can really help build a built environment in a more efficient way.
AB: What are your next steps or future projects in this field? Are there particular aspects or techniques you wish to explore further?
AA: For me, right now, it’s very important to use my theoretical knowledge in a practical way. I’m looking forward and very excited to gain practical experience in the field.
AB: If you could create a therapeutic landscape in any location in the world, where would it be and what unique features would it have?
AA: I took this question very seriously actually. I just want to see a therapeutic landscape everywhere where it’s really needed.
AB: Which fictional character do you think would most benefit from spending time in a therapeutic landscape? Why?
AA: I shared this question with my sister and I really liked her answer. She said to change the final scene in the movie, Fight Club, where the main characters are standing and holding hands with exploding buildings in the background. So, we suggest to change this background to a therapeutic landscape. Really, I feel that it this is what we, across the world, are really seeking right now and it’s changing this whole story in such a positive way. This is our suggestion that would completely rewrite Fight Club.
AB: If you had to describe your ideal therapeutic garden using only three words, what would they be?
AA: Appropriate, attractive and therapeutic. Because if a random person came to this landscape I created and said, Oh my God, it’s so therapeutic,” then I know I’ve achieved my goal.
The GreenInCities project tackles the challenge of bringing nature-based solutions to deprived urban areas to improve mental well-being. Learn how NeuroLandscape is contributing with innovative assessment methods.
As urban areas expand and crowding surges, accessing green spaces has become increasingly challenging. The issue goes beyond aesthetics; studies consistently link access to nature with improved mental and physical well-being. However, existing efforts to regreen these urban spaces often prioritize affluent, tourist-heavy areas, leaving behind disadvantaged neighborhoods across Europe (European Commission, 2023).
Introducing: The GreenInCities project
The GreenInCities project, funded by Horizon Europe, aims to address this gap. Launched in January 2024, GreenInCities brings together a consortium of experts to redefine urban regeneration strategies for deprived areas. The four-year project focuses on developing, implementing, and monitoring Nature-based Solutions (NbS), effectively bridging urban planning with ecological sustainability.
GreenInCities adopts a comprehensive approach to urban regeneration, prioritizing the mental health needs of the cities and residents involved. The project leverages innovative tools and methodologies, including, but not limited to:
Augmented Reality (AR): This technology enables the pre-visualization of landscape changes, facilitating community engagement and informed decision-making.
Mobile Electroencephalography (mEEG): mEEG assesses the impact of NbS interventions on the mental health of local communities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI plays a crucial role in optimizing planning and analysis, tailoring NbS efforts to the specific needs of each city.
These cutting-edge techniques ensure that regreening efforts seamlessly integrate into urban environments while remaining adaptable to meet the unique needs of each city and its residents.
GreenInCities: Objectives and Outcomes
The GreenInCities project boasts a variety of specific objectives, all designed to amplify the impact of NbS for all stakeholders, from policymakers to citizens. Through collaborative efforts and a multidisciplinary approach, the project endeavors to achieve the following:
Establish an Online Repository:This repository contains existing NbS implementations to serve as a valuable reference point for project activities.
Develop a Sustainable Renaturing Toolbox: This toolbox will comprise assessment methodologies and decision-making processes aligned with the goals and key indicators of local stakeholders, such as regional urban planning strategies.
Create Renaturing Guidelines: These guidelines, based on an evaluation matrix, will guide the implementation and maintenance of NbS across diverse sites.
Design Collaboratively a Data Infrastructure and Management System:This system will manage the data collected from greening initiatives across partner cities.
Co-Develop and Validate Predictive Tools: These tools, using the data collected by multimodal sensors, will facilitate pre- and post-intervention assessments to measure the effectiveness of NbS interventions.
Utilize Advanced Immersive Technologies:The project will leverage Augmented Reality to visualize changes in pilot areas before and after interventions, enabling proactive insights and adaptive planning for maximizing the positive impacts of NbS efforts.
NeuroLandscape’sContribution to GreenInCities
NeuroLandscape (NL) is proud to be part of this groundbreaking project. Our involvement demonstrates our commitment to advancing regreening efforts through a “human-in-the-loop” approach. We aim to ensure these initiatives benefit the entire ecosystem, from those initiating regreening efforts to the end users – the citizens who witness these positive transformations in their daily lives.
Within the project’s scope, NL will develop a methodology for assessing citizens’ mental health before (pre) and after (post) regreening interventions. This methodology will leverage advanced neuroscience tools such as mobile Electroencephalography (mEEG). Once developed, the methodology will be disseminated within the consortium and implemented through field studies in at least three pilot European cities where regreening initiatives will take place.
Building upon these assessments, NL will create a “mental health digital twin.” This innovative concept involves the development of automated pre/post measurements for regreening interventions using machine learning methods. This eliminates the need for direct measurements on human subjects while harnessing the predictive capabilities of AI to forecast the impact of NbS interventions on mental well-being.
Our involvement in GreenInCities represents a significant step forward for our organization, solidifying our commitment to advancing urban regreening initiatives through innovative approaches. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the broader community by promoting mental health and environmental well-being in urban areas.
Want to learn more about how GreenInCities is transforming urban landscapes and improving lives?
NeuroLandscape is delighted to announce its participation in the consortium selected for the prestigious Horizon EuropeGreenME project with a budget of nearly 6M euro.
This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to advance our mission of integrating nature-based solutions into urban environments for enhanced well-being and sustainable living. Led by Universita Autonoma de Barcelona, the GreenME consortium aims to revolutionize greencare and urban planning practices across Europe. NeuroLandscape's involvement in this groundbreaking initiative will commence on September 1st, 2023, as we eagerly anticipate the positive impact we can collectively make on the health and well-being of urban dwellers.
This project is an ambitious endeavor that seeks to advance greencare practices across Europe through an integrated, multi-scalar approach. It has received significant recognition and funding through the prestigious Horizon Europe program. This collaborative project brings together leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of nature-based solutions to address pressing urban challenges and create healthier, more sustainable cities.
NeuroLandscape's Involvement in the Consortium
NeuroLandscape's inclusion in the GreenME consortium is a testament to our expertise and commitment to promoting the benefits of nature in urban environments. As a key partner in the consortium, NeuroLandscape will contribute valuable insights and practical experience gained from our extensive research in the quality of urban greening and mental health promotion through the nature connection. Our participation aims to leverage wide international network of contacts, insights from evidence-based design, environmental psychology, and the impact of nature on human health and well-being to support the project's success.
Through collaboration with partners across Europe, NeuroLandscape will actively contribute to the development of innovative approaches and solutions that integrate nature into urban settings. Our goal is to foster positive impacts on mental health, physical well-being, and social cohesion through evidence-based design and strategic implementation of nature-based interventions.
The GreenME Project's Objectives
The GreenME project encompasses a broad range of objectives, each focusing on different aspects of greencare implementation at various scales. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, the project aims to:
Investigate the benefits of nature-based interventions on human health and well-being.
Develop evidence-based design guidelines for creating nature-rich urban environments.
Enhance the role of urban green spaces in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainability.
Establish a European-wide network to facilitate the exchange of best practices and expertise.
Provide policymakers with comprehensive recommendations for integrating greencare strategies into urban planning frameworks.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
Through the GreenME project, NeuroLandscape and its consortium partners strive to achieve transformative outcomes that will positively impact cities and their inhabitants across Europe. By implementing nature-based solutions and greencare strategies, we envision:
Improved mental and physical health outcomes for urban dwellers.
Enhanced ecological resilience and biodiversity in urban environments.
Increased social cohesion and community engagement through nature-based interventions.
Strengthened policy frameworks that prioritize the integration of nature in urban planning for mental health and well-being.
Sustainable urban development that prioritizes the well-being of both people and the planet.
NeuroLandscape's participation in the GreenME project represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of greencare practices in Europe. By four years long collaboration with leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners, we aim to integrate evidence-based research and practical knowledge to create nature-rich urban environments that promote well-being and sustainability.
With the project set to begin on September 1st, 2023, we are poised to embark on this transformative journey. We are confident that the GreenME project will have a profound and lasting impact on the way we approach urban planning and the integration of nature in day-to-day urban living.
On June 1, 2022, a meeting with Dr. Agnieszka Guizzo was held on the relationship between green spaces in the city and mental health.
The webinar covered topics such as the impact of the living environment on health and mental health; how the right to mental health can be violated by bad design decisions; ways of conscious design of urban spaces for health.
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1 czerwca 2022 roku odbyło się spotkanie z dr Agnieszką Guizzo na temat związków między przestrzeniami zielonymi w mieście a zdrowiem psychicznym.
Podczas webinaru poruszono takie tematy, jak wpływ środowiska życia na zdrowie i zdrowie psychiczne; sposób, w jaki prawo do zdrowia psychicznego może być łamane przez złe decyzje projektowe; sposoby świadomego projektowania przestrzeni miejskich dla zdrowia.
Dr. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo has presented her insights at the session 5H: Green spaces for healthier cities, which was fully recorded and available online:
The Conference, co-hosted by #UNHabitat and #Mayors4Climate, brings together innovative research and science to help cities tackle #ClimateChange challenges. The global five-day virtual #I4C Conference covering #Science and #Innovation partnerships driving inclusive, resilient, and climate-neutral #cities, runned from 11 to 15 October 2021 and attracted over 1,000 city leaders, scientists, researchers, innovators, academics, youth, and business leaders and is open to everyone.
The share of the world’s population living in urban areas has been predicted to increase from 55% in 2018 to 60% in 2030 (UN, 2018). Every year people move to the urban areas from villages for various reasons. If we try to see this urban-rural migration under the push-pull model, push factors from rural end such as landlessness and poverty, frequent natural calamities (particularly riverbank erosion, tidal surge), lack of social and cultural opportunities for rural rich and The pull factors from the urban end like job opportunities, higher wages, better civic services encourage these migrants. Most of them are low or lower-middle-income people.
Due to high land prices and construction costs, these people cannot afford suitable housing. In rural areas, they may have a house with a courtyard, pond with lots of greenery. It is very hard to get just a shelter under the roof which is far away from the house they used to live in. A lot of slums and unplanned low-income residential areas with poor greeneries, ventilation boom up. People have little scope to take care of their mental health in such settlements. Most of them face severe mental illness due to some social and physical variables including low socioeconomic status, unemployment, impoverished social networks, quality of life, bad living condition, overcrowding, pollution, and limited social supports overall the environment around these people. These variables of the social and physical environment have different types of effects on different age groups, it also varies from gender to gender.
Different geographical contexts – same issues
In a study in India, it has been explored with ethnographic methods that afflictions of the city affecting the emotional well-being and mental health of women and men with respect to gender in the Malvani slum, Mumbai. Mental health issues such as emotional distress, hopelessness, disappointment, demoralization, addictions, instability, hostility, violence, criminality, worthlessness, fatigue and weakness, depression. Poor hygiene and sanitation, subjective quality of life of poor people living in deprived conditions population density, hutment demolition, homelessness, violence, and crime play a vital role in this degrading mental health in slums of Mumbai.
Women face more problems along with the previously mentioned ones such as dual responsibilities of home and work, substandard jobs and pay, sexual exploitation, marital disharmony, abandonment, exploitation of women, domestic violence, the humiliation of women
which creates a great negative impact like depression, fatigue , worthlessness, stress, low self- esteem from menial position etc.
If we look at South Africa, 72% of women in informal settlements have been reported moderate to high levels of depressive symptomology and 57.9% reported very high levels, compared to only 26.4% of women in a nationally representative sample. A lack of access to water, sewage, garbage collection, health care, and other basic services as factors associated with poor mental and physical health in these settlements. The prevalence of IPV in these communities (66.2%) is higher than in the general population (39%). Even in the slum of Bangladesh, 46% of women in the sample tested positive for a UTI (urinary tract infections) which have not only a physical health problem but also severe mental issues.
Adolescents in the urban slums of Bangladesh face more mental problems than other well-off areas. They may have limited chances to learn skills to shape their minds. Thus, non-slum adolescents may be able to feel anxiety when they face stress, whereas slum adolescents may not be able to learn or practice this
highly cognitive procedure but rather vent their frustrations by acting out as they get older. Here also, quality of life plays a role.
Housing conditions in the slums of Bangladesh (photo by Ananya Tahsin)
Healthy housing – a human right
Most studies are consistent about that housing condition plays a major role in mental health issues. Lack of adequate space, utility facilities, open space, the hygienic living environment creates a great negative impact on the people living in the slum. Though the constitution of Bangladesh declared housing is a basic right. But proving proper healthy housing to people is a huge challenge for Bangladesh. 80% of poor HHs in Dhaka live in one-roomed homes of the latter types (1.2 m2 floor area per person). From the National Housing Policy of Bangladesh 1993, we come to know that housing is one of the three basic primary needs of human-like food and clothing. It is considered that housing creates a sense of belonging and safety for the owner. Even the major objective of the Housing Policy 1999 was to ensure housing for all. It has put emphasis on the disadvantaged low and middle-income groups of people. Then again the goal of the Housing Policy 2008 was to provide proper housing available to all citizens and to develop houses, settlements, and workplaces on a sustainable and equal basis. The National Housing Authority undertook a project to provide 5,472 flats in Bhashantek. But govt is failing to provide housing to this increasing number of migrants.
RAJUK has reserved only 1.2%, 4.3%, and 7.5% of land for low-income groups in the Purbachal, Uttara (3rd Phase), and Jhilmeel projects respectively. Different NGOs are working to provide housing to this low-income community living in an informal settlement. ARBAN, one of the first NGOs piloted a low-income, urban housing project in Bangladesh. By tapping into micro-credit savings deposits and loan assistance, ARBAN built an apartment complex for 42-member households in Mirpur, Dhaka. The apartments were handed over in 2012. Building on success, ARBAN is taking on another housing project to construct apartments for 85 households on a 1 Bigha plot at the city’s Rampura-Banasree area. “Ghore Fera” or similar kind of rehabilitation opportunities have to be created.
People in our slums are still struggling for a better life…
As we can see there are so many policies but not much really changes for people in slums. They deserve proper housing, a basic healthy life with effective interventions for mental health. Community mental health services should be introduced in these informal settlements. Approaches to mental health policy and planning for community mental health benefit to priorities can be defined with local socio-cultural contexts. So improving and monitoring should also be a concern to the providers to slums. Complimentary approaches to mental health research can also be helpful to address interdisciplinary academic interests and practical needs for mental health planning. Psychiatric epidemiology is required to identify the burden of mental disorders. Quality living may improve their mental health. A housing with better basic facilities such as water sanitation, electricity, open space, basic medical treatment, scopes to talk and getting help about mental health is their right to survive in a good way on this Earth.
Eascape, a new VR relaxation app created by neuroscientists and landscape architects, makes it possible to benefit from the healing power of nature without leaving home. The test version of the app has just been launched, as the whole world deals with the consequences of coronavirus waves and lockdowns. It is not a coincidence. In this difficult time creators of the app encourage us all to start looking at VR technology as an effective self-care tool, ready to reconnect us with nature and ease our minds.
An intensive work on the project started almost exactly one year ago – during the first lockdown. We wanted to better understand people's psychological needs in times of confinement, so we conducted the world-wide survey on this very topic. What we have learned was very striking, although not that surprising – at least not to us – says Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, co-founder of Eascape, then she adds: It turned out that what we, humans, miss the most in such difficult conditions is, apart from being close with relatives and friends, a deeper connection with nature. The pandemic has shown what neuroscientists and environmental psychologists have known for a long time – that being around green spaces is crucial to our mental health and cognitive processes such as memory, attention or creativity.
We need nature more than ever
If we talk about our exposure to nature the situation had been dire even before pandemic, especially in big cities. Science shows that urban, stressful and chaotic environments full of stimulation increase the risk of psychiatric disorders by 38% as compared to rural living. We work long hours in office spaces, away from green scenery, then we go home, where we often stay until the next day, too tired to go out and have at least a stroll in a nearby park. And even if we are keen to spend some relaxing time in green environments – we often simply cannot do so, since due to the urbanization and biodiversity loss processes we have no longer unlimited access to such spaces. This simply cannot be good to our well-being. We need to take action. We must be mindful of what we expose ourselves to everyday, to keep a healthy mind, help with depression and anxiety, alleviate stress, and reduce the risk of dementias – explains Nicolas Escoffier, one of the creators of Eascape.
Landscapes that ease our minds
Eascape builds on the concept of Contemplative Landscapes, an idea conceived in 2011 by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, as part of her scientific work in Landscape Architecture and Urban Ecology. In her research, she found that there are certain characteristics of the scenic views that can influence the human brain to improve mental health and well-being. Contemplative Landscapes should for example contain a certain landform with many layers, natural asymmetry and the depth of the view.
Being surrounded by such scenery we should be able to observe subtle phenomena such as the play of light and shade, trembling leaves or shadows growing and shrinking with the passage of the sun. What adds to contemplativeness of a landscape are also archetypal elements like a running body of water, a path, an old tree or a big stone.
The space should also carry a character of peace and silence, providing comfort and a sense of solitude. It activates our nervous system and a built-in biophilia – a state that exists in all of us since the time when we were still living in close relation with nature – says Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo.
VR experience like no other
Eascape is nothing like VR games. It differs even from other VR relaxation apps. Most of the VR apps absorb our attention completely. We have tasks to do, fantastic creatures to meet or new things to learn. All this generates the beta waves in our brain, making our mind work at top speed, and eventually causing mental fatigue. Eascape is not a gaming experience. It works in the opposite way to generate the alpha waves which are characteristic for the state of relaxation and mindfulness. On a daily basis, we have access to such state only through sleep, meditation or close contact with nature – says Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo.
The app contains full HD 3D 180° videos, recorded in a scientifically confirmed Contemplative Landscape site: Parchi di Nervi in Genoa, Italy. The user is able to hear the natural, relaxing sound of chirping birds and teleport to four locations across the lawn. The environment has been designed in a very minimalistic way, intentionally deprived of special effects or extraordinary elements. It is a place for soft fascination and gentle exploration that calms down the mind. The whole experience should feel as a pleasant mindfulness practice, available at one’s fingertips. The Eascape team recommends spending 10 min per day in Eascape for 2 weeks to see the improvements in mood. A pilot test showed 32% reduction of depressive mood after just 7 min using Eascape demo, when compared to another VR environment.
Healthy VR environments to the rescue of today’s societies
We are sure that healthy VR environments can make a huge change in the way we as society deal with mental health problems – says Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo. Desire to help those who need access to nature have brought together the Eascape team which consists of people from all around the world. Growing up, they were all observing different kinds of landscapes, learning how it can affect people's well-being. That was a huge source of inspiration.
When the world of Academia meets VR industry
Among Eascape team members there are scientists from University of Porto and National University of Singapore who specialize in Neuroscience, Environmental Psychology and Landscape Architecture. Why did they decide to go out with their expertise beyond the world of Academia and cross their paths with the VR industry? We wanted to use our knowledge and create a tool that would be accessible and helpful for everyone, especially for those who struggle with depression, anxiety, sleeplessness or burnout, as well as for elderly people who due to their health conditions often stay in isolation – says Nicolas Escoffier.
An invitation to a green peaceful change
A free version of Eascape is being launched right now on Oculus. But that is just the beginning. We dream big. We intend to conduct further research on the app, adjust it to particular groups of users and add new healthy environments based on Contemplative Landscapes from all corners of the world. But for now, we just want as many people as possible to try Eascape and be part of our green peaceful change. Our app is not about replacing nature – that’s simply impossible. But when you simply cannot access it, it is as close as it gets to the real experience – says Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo.
The fast-paced urbanization and disconnection of people from nature and the current series of lockdowns, contribute to an increasing burden of mental health disease in cities. Researchers have estimated that it is 39% more likely to develop depression when living in urbanized areas as compared to rural regions [source]. Other mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders such as anxiety, substance abuse, and dementia are also taking a large toll on the lives of urban dwellers.
The environmental determinants of this phenomenon are most obviously the noise, pollution, and abundance of distracting elements in the space, which keep attention at the mode of alertness. In addition to these factors, there are certain visual constraints and limited contact with nature, which contribute a substantial psychological burden to those living in urbanized spaces.
There are a lot of unanswered questions about the specific mechanisms of why this happens and, more importantly, how to design our cities to not only prevent mental illness but also improve our wellbeing. Several research teams around the world, including our scientists and landscape architects at NeuroLandscape, have been investigating the influence of exposure to different living environments on brain activity.
From multiple neuroscience experiments and cross-sectional analyses, it seems that the quantity of green cover in the city is not enough to trigger a beneficial mental health response. The proximity and accessibility of green spaces in relation to residency is a very important start point to mitigate the mental health decline but does not consistently determine better mental health outcomes. Like in many other aspects of life quality outperforms quantity.
In the era of the color green, urban planners, landscape architects and city managers, lend me your ears! —Do not green cities mindlessly.
There are certain types and components of urban green spaces which can reduce stress levels, restore our attention, regulate emotions, bring back positive motivation, and improve cognitive functioning by just passively experiencing them [our library on that topic]. They include open and panoramic landscape compositions, which allow far-away views into the landscape, but also enclosed pocket gardens inviting for calm relaxation and solitary contemplation. The visibility of natural asymmetry, undulating landforms and a diversified skyline also count towards that restorative effect. Among many other salutogenic landscape design strategies, seasonally changing, lush vegetation, and the presence of strong symbolic features, such as water, play an important role too.
In the endeavor to create liveable cities we have been through several stages, starting with the consideration of functionality and logistics, which was followed by improvements to sanitation, safety, equity, greening and sustainability, and finally led up to a focus on the mental health. The research to support this latest stage is ongoing. However, it is becoming clear that mentally healthy cities rely on the quality rather than quantity of green and natural elements.
With that in mind, nature is not to be visited (like visiting a gallery or animal park) but rather, a backdrop to our daily events and activities. For this vision to be feasible and effective, evidence-based landscape design is indispensable.
President and Founder of NeuroLandscape. Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture and Urban Ecology, in her research she explores the relationship between the different features of the natural and built environment’s influence on human health and well-being. She has successfully incorporated neuroscience tools to investigate the changes in brainwave oscillation in people exposed to different types of scenery. She has introduced and operationalized the term contemplative landscape and proposed a quantitative assessment scale – a Contemplative Landscapes Model (CLM) – to identify most beneficial landscapes for mental health in terms of passive exposure. She is an author of “Neuroscience for Designing Green Spaces: Contemplative Landscapes”, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health. She is continuing her research on therapeutic landscapes under two ongoing Horizon Europe projects: GreenME and GreenInCities.
Our programme Planting Seeds of Empowerment Mental Health and Well-being of the Communities starts this year with a new project created in collaboration with international organisations to emphasise the importance of nature in the mental health and well-being of people residing in heavily urbanised cities.
The project entitled: Networks of Nature Integrating Urban Farming in the city Fabric will introduce and educative platform that will provide knowledge about the importance of individual and community actions in urban farming activities as accelerators for positive environmental change in Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore.
Joining efforts with two partnering organisations Binatani Sejahtera Foundation (Indonesia) and Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment Inc (TAMPEI Philippines), Networks of Nature will provide a platform for empowerment towards nature actions to enable a shared sense of community and support. Three main educational modules will be developed focusing on: Urban farming, improving mental health through urban farming, and adaptable architecture infrastructures for urban farming. Our combined efforts from Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore will bring different sets of skills and expertise that will also help those engaged in the Networks of Nature to feel supported and connected to a global community.
Networks of Nature Integrating Urban Farming in the city Fabric was selected among the best five projects during the Gobeshona Global Conference in January this year. We will be running this project with the financial support of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCD), Climate Justice Resilience Funds, and Gobeshona Global conference.
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when you subscribe to our newsletter
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Your name;
You mailing address;
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Your fax number,
Your gender
Your title
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The name of your organization
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to conduct fundraising activities;
to process any donations made by you;
to conduct donor surveys;
to issue receipts for your donation;
to foster communications between you and NeuroLandscape;
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Under and in accordance with the terms of the GDPR, you have the right to:
access your Personal Data stored with us,
erasure (right to be forgotten)
restriction of processing
data portability
rectification
object
automated individual decision-making
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Fundacja NeuroLandscape
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This Policy shall be deemed an integral part of forms and applications you may submit to us.
Panel introducing the features of nature that help facilitate mindfulness.
