Tag: Singapore

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ASEAN Workshop on Biodiversity and its Linkages to Human Health

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

27 September 2021  at 2:30 PM Singapore

The connections between biodiversity, mental health and physical inactivity are particularly relevant in the context of shifting global burden of diseases in which non-communicable diseases are among the most rapidly rising challenge to global public health. Contact with nature may provide positive mental health benefits, as well as promote physical activity and contribute to overall well-being.

The ASEAN Workshop on Biodiversity and its Links to Human Health in an Urban Context and Capacity Building on Therapeutic Horticulture as an Example of the Links (referred to subsequently as the ASEAN Workshop) is one of the follow-up activities to the above 2018 regional workshop. The European Union, through the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP), is providing funding support to the ASEAN Workshop.

Due to the COVID-19, the ASEAN Workshop had to be postponed and implementation modalities divided into two parts:
(i) introductory webinar (as per current invitation and information note); and
(ii) in-person workshop (tentatively to be conducted in 2022, contingent on prevailing
COVID-19 situation)

Expected Outputs of the Introductory Webinar

1. Enable participants to become supporters and active advocates of green spaces and
therapeutic horticulture approaches in their respective cities in the ASEAN Region.
2. Generate ideas and recommendations on the promotion of green spaces and
therapeutic horticulture in the ASEAN Region.

2:30-2:40pm  - Entry of participants, House rules ACB

2:40-2:45pm Opening remarks , Ms. Wendy Yap - Director/ International Biodiversity Conservation, NParks

Session 1: Role of Green Spaces on Health and Wellbeing
2.45-3.25pm

  1. "Landscapes for mental wellbeing" - Dr. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo - President and Co-founder of  NeuroLandscape
  2.  "Case study: Prescribing physical activity in parks in Singapore for improved health and wellbeing" - Dr. Nicholas Alexander Petrunoff - Assistant Professor, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore
  3. Question and Answer - Moderator: Mr. Elpidio Peria, - Technical Consultant, ACB

Session 2: Benefits of Therapeutic Horticulture, a Nature-based Programme
3.35-4.25pm

  1. "Contextualising therapeutic horticulture for the tropics" - Ms. Tham Siang Yu Permaculture Designer
  2. "Case study 1: Design and programming of therapeutic horticulture in a tropical nursing home" - Mr. Tham Xin Kai Design Director of Hortian Consultancy and Co-founder of
    Hortherapeutics
  3. " Case study 2: A research study on therapeutic horticulture on older adults in Singapore" - Ms. Angelia Sia Deputy Director of Research at the Centre for Urban Greenery and
    Ecology, NParks
  4. Question and Answer Moderator: Mr. Elpidio Peria, Technical Consultant, ACB

4:35 – 4.45 Synthesis and Closing - Ms. Clarissa C. Arida, Director, Programme Development and Implementation Unit, ACB

iHealthtech, National University of Singapore and 

youtube miniatiure

Urban Land Institute/Health Leaders Network

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

In early 2021 our Board Member and Lead researcher Dr Diana Benjumea was selected to join a prestigious  Health Leaders Network initiated by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Health Leaders Network is a platform aimed at sharing knowledge and ideas with health leaders across continents. It gathers professionals across the globe with the skills and knowledge to generate impact and help improve health outcomes in their professional practice with the communities.

Among multiple activities on the 09th of June 2021, the group presentation session features Dr Diana's presentation titled Networks of Nature: Designing for harmonious interactions in tangible and intangible ‘spaces’. In it, she introduces NeuroLandscape and some of the work and research projects she has conducted in different countries aimed at investigating the confounding variables that affect the eudemonic health and well-being of urban residents.

Additionally, she explored how the solutions taken in urban spaces in Singapore to promote health (e.g., green infrastructure) can also introduce negative responses from urban residents that are not adapted to coexist with a more biodiverse urban space.

A conceptual model (Nature place-making) abstracted from our scientific explorations unveils the main underlying social/design components needed to promote harmonious coexistence with nature in heavily urbanised cities.

 

BBC Worls Service, My perfect City

NeuroLandscape featured in BBC “My Perfect City”

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

NeuroLandscape featured in BBC "My Perfect City" Series episode which was released on: 30 Dec 2020

New episode of the BBC World Service "My perfect city" features Dr Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo among other experts.  They discuss Singapore as a city which attempts to improve residents' mental wellbeing through urban design.

Generally, people in cities are likely to experience mental health problems.  This counts for about 38% more than people living outside of big cities. Urban greening and creating therapeutic gardens with contemplative features can really help. But also, promoting high amenity public spaces,  physical exercise, housing security and social services are important too! These solutions can make a city more liveable but also reduce rates of disorders such as OCD, anxiety and depression.

But are these community-based, non-medical approaches enough to improve mental health among the population of the highly urbanized Singapore? Let's find out!

 

Listen to the end to find out if Singapore receives 3 ticks -  a perfect city mark.  This means that Singapore should be an example to follow by other cities!

Taking part in the podcast like this one was a great experience. Thanks to endeavours like this one we can share the knowledge from the scientists and inform the public!

Here are some other blog posts related to Singapore:

  1. Singapore Urban Sustainability MND Congress.
  2. IFLA Conference, Singapore
  3. Neuroscience data collection outdoors
  4. NeuroLandscape featured in BBC "My Perfect City"
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The New Urban Normal_Dr Diana’s speech at TecNM (Mexico)_VIDEO

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

24th September 2020.

Tecnológico Nacional de México, campus Costa Grande, hosted an online event addressing the World New Normal in the interdisciplinary lens.

Dr Diana Benjumea gave a speech regarding architecture and urban planning, where she sets a new paradigm of bottom-up, evidence-based urban design. Moreover,  she introduces NeuroLandscape projects and explains the global implications of the emerging shift in thinking and approaching urban space.

The entire speech and Q&A session are available on youtube! English subtitles coming soon!

URD

Where Government Listens to Scientists: Urban Sustainability R&D Congress, Singapore

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

Singapore is one of the most prominent examples of Urban Sustainability through new technologies, research and development. It is also one of the few countries where the government is actively supporting science and innovation in order to inform the practice of urban design and solve urban living issues. The Urban Sustainability R&D Congress is organized since 2011, biannually, and invites all R&D projects pursued by Government agencies, collaborating with local and international research institutions.

One of the keynote speakers, Dr Elsa Arcaute from UCL, a researcher of Cities as Complex Systems, when asked by a panel moderator, Dr Cheong Koon Hean  (CEO of Housing & Development Board) what advice does she have for Singapore, she answered to just continue what Singapore was already doing. She mentioned that she as a researcher is used to “begging” urban decision-makers to look at the results of her work. In Singapore, authorities are not only interested to hear researchers out but also keen to fund the applicable research.

Congress is a national platform for government agencies, research community and industries to come together to discuss R&D responses for urban solutions and sustainability. The exhibition is also a showcase of the most interesting solutions and research in progress. Everything is presented with typical to Singapore care to impress all the visitors.

Singapore has been striving to balance economic growth with a high quality of life and care for the environment. As a result, it has to deal with many challenges, including the growing burden of mental health disorders and the aging population. These challenges were recognized and addressed at the Congress through a “Greater Sustainability Track”,  which shared the benefits of adopting sustainable and biophilic design ideas, provide behavioural and technological insights to aid the creation of a high-quality living environment. On this track the preliminary study of Dr Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo, President of NeuroLandscape was presented, you can watch her speech on our youtube channel!

Photos: 1. Punggol Digital District https://www.jtc.gov.sg/industrial-land-and-space/Pages/punggol-digital-district.aspx , 2.& 3. A.O.G

© SingEx | Photography by Lionel Lin

Window View and the Brain – study results

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

Most people in Asian biggest metropolitan areas live above the ground in multi-storey buildings. Here in Singapore residential blocks can reach up to 50+ floors! Developers try to fit as many housing units on small plots of lands without the consideration of what will be the view from the window. Well, maybe it is about the time for them to reflect on that.

This newest study from researchers of NeuroLandscape shows that the window views depending of the floor level and the amount of visible green can affect the brain activity in a positive or negative way.  This goes along with the scientists claim that the daily passive exposures to the living environment can have tremendous impact on our mental health.

Check out your window view!

Update! The paper from this study is already published online in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, click here to read!

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NeuroLandscape @ IFLA World Congress

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

Yesterday marks the end of the 2 day IFLA World Congress 2018.

Here at NeuroLandscape, we can't wait to update everyone with all the exciting events that happened over the 2 days. There will be more detailed spotlights in the weeks to come, but here is a quick glimpse of NeuroLandscape @IFLA.

The IFLA Congress venue was truly impressive this year, acomodated almost entire top floor of Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center. Invited keynote speakers   included Minister of National Development, Mr. Lawrence Wong and even Prof. Timothy Beatley,  researcher and writer who first introduced the green urbanism concept and introduced the biophilic cities network. He stressed the importance of LIVING IN NATURE for health, instead of just visiting the nature from time to time.

The following session was lead by  Dr Cheong Koon Hean, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Housing & Development Board (HDB) announcing the updated Biophillic Town Framework. In many ways, the Biophillic Town Framework is especially critical of an achievement to us .  At times, it can be easy to question ourselves. While members of NeuroLandscape were directly involved in its inception, the significance of HDB adopting this framework is far greater than just that.  This is absolute proof of the value of our research and the potential of a better tomorrow that it can bring. It shows that we are not alone in what we strive to do.

Interview with Gayle Souter - Brown

Gayle is a Principle  of Greenstone Design UK & Ecological Victoria, landscape architect, writer and researcher. She is one of our esteemed Advisory Board Members. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with her as she shares her extensive insight with us!

Living Landscape and Brain Reactions
Prof. Chang, Chun-Yen from Taiwan National University, "Healthy Landscapes Healthy People's Lab" shares his current research interests in this special interview brought to you by Nicolas Escoffier. Coming up soon on out youtube channel!

 

Student Competition and Design Award

Dr. Agnieszka O. Guizzo had the privilege of being one of the design facilitators for this student design competition.  Below is a picture of her taking a group photo with one of the student teams. The students were greatly intrigued by the idea of contemplative landscapes and even incorporated it into their design!

The IFLA World Congress 2018 concluded with a Paper Presentation Session. Dr. Agnieszka O. Guizzo, joined by several other presenters like Prof. Liao Kuei-Hsien, they shared their findings with an attentive crowd and ended the day with a fruitful discussion.  More details about Dr. Agnieszka O. Guizzo's Window View and the Brain and Prof. Liao Kuei-Hsien's Landscape Design with Ecosystem services in High Density Cities will be coming soon.

 

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Contemplative Landscape Model featured in a book!

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

The Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) was developed by our scientists to measure and define the subjectivity in landscape aesthetics. Utilizing 7 categories to rank any given landscape view.

 

What's considered as aesthetic is often instinctual, yet what makes it so often overlooked. Take a look outside and you'll see how easy it is for the CLM to be applied in the urban outdoor spaces we live in (for example Singapore’s HDB estates).

The CLM is featured in the book Nature, Place & People. It can be found here.

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Amazon Unveils Biophilic Workspace

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

Would you like to work in a place like this?

Amazon has unveiled its newest workplace that's all about the biophilia. The structure calls to mind the domed gardens at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, but this is a place for brainstorming and meetings instead of tourism.

“We need to overcome this sense that you should just get out in nature once or twice a year on a holiday.”

We couldn't agree more.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/urban-expeditions/green-buildings/amazon-glass-forest-office-seattle/