Urban Ecology
elnaz khalili; Seyed Muslim Seyedolhosseini; toktam hanaee; sanaz saeedi mofrad
Abstract
HighlightsThis article emphasizes the fundamental relationship between placemaking and biophilia.Biophilic placemaking indicators are categorized into five core dimensions.Natural peri-urban spaces are identified as key platforms for rebuilding the human–nature connection.The concept of “biophilic ...
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HighlightsThis article emphasizes the fundamental relationship between placemaking and biophilia.Biophilic placemaking indicators are categorized into five core dimensions.Natural peri-urban spaces are identified as key platforms for rebuilding the human–nature connection.The concept of “biophilic placemaking” is proposed as an emerging theoretical framework. IntroductionRapid and often unregulated urbanization has profoundly disrupted natural ecosystems, degraded green infrastructure, and weakened the physical and psychological bonds between humans and nature. These disturbances have exacerbated environmental issues such as air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and the urban heat island effect. As a result, contemporary urban design is compelled to adopt strategies that address ecological degradation while also enhancing human health and well-being.This study investigates how integrating biophilic design principles into placemaking processes can provide a nature-based framework for reshaping urban environments—enhancing livability, fostering environmental resilience, and supporting healthier communities. Specifically, it examines how nature-based solutions, grounded in ecological and psychological principles, can respond to pressing urban and planning challenges while encouraging citizens to reconnect both emotionally and functionally with their surroundings.Placemaking is an interdisciplinary approach aimed at designing meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable spaces that foster a sense of belonging, identity, respect for nature, and social participation. While previous research has explored various social, cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions of placemaking, the incorporation of nature-centric design principles—often referred to as biophilic or nature-based urbanism—remains relatively underexplored.Accordingly, the central research question is: How can nature-based design principles be effectively integrated into urban placemaking to enhance the quality of urban life and the built environment?To answer this, the study conducts a qualitative meta-synthesis of global scholarly literature to explore the intersection between placemaking and biophilia. By synthesizing current research, this study seeks to uncover patterns, identify key findings, offer conceptual insights, and evaluate how the integration of these paradigms has evolved in recent years. Theoretical FrameworkThis research is anchored in two interrelated theoretical foundations: placemaking and biophilic design.Placemaking is conceptualized as a holistic, people-centered approach to designing urban public spaces. It emphasizes the creation of meaningful environments that promote social interaction, inclusivity, cultural identity, and emotional attachment. In parallel, biophilic design builds on E.O. Wilson’s hypothesis of humans’ innate affinity for nature, asserting that integrating natural elements into built environments can enhance mental, emotional, and physical health.Through a comprehensive literature synthesis, the study explores how these two frameworks intersect—uncovering synergies where biophilic strategies can enrich place-based urban design, especially in nature-adjacent and peri-urban contexts. MethodologyThis study employs a qualitative meta-synthesis approach, based on the seven-step model introduced by Sandelowski and Barroso. This method facilitates the systematic aggregation and reinterpretation of qualitative findings from diverse case studies, aiming to generate new theoretical insights.The literature review was conducted across major academic databases—including Web of Science, Scopus, and Semantic Scholar—focusing on peer-reviewed publications from 2017 to 2023. A total of 25 qualitative studies were selected using rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed through inductive coding using MAXQDA software. The extracted themes were then validated using the CASP checklist and reviewed by experts in urban design to ensure credibility and transferability. Results and DiscussionThe analysis resulted in the identification of five main thematic dimensions—environmental, social, economic, functional, and physical—encompassing 12 subcategories and 28 indicators. These themes reflect how placemaking and biophilia converge across spatial and disciplinary scales to enhance urban quality.Environmental Dimension: Integration with nature enhances biodiversity, regulates microclimates, and improves air and water quality.Social Dimension: Biophilic public spaces strengthen community ties, promote inclusivity, and support psychological well-being.Economic Dimension: Green infrastructure contributes to increased land value, stimulates tourism, and reduces operational and maintenance costs.Functional Dimension: Biophilic design enhances usability through improved comfort, sensory engagement, and spatial adaptability.Physical Dimension: The use of natural aesthetics and materials reinforces place identity, emotional attachment, and cultural continuity.These findings demonstrate that placemaking and biophilic design are not isolated frameworks but mutually reinforcing paradigms. Together, they form the conceptual foundation for biophilic placemaking—an integrated strategy for creating healthier and more sustainable urban environments. ConclusionThis study concludes that biophilic placemaking provides a compelling, multidimensional strategy for addressing the social, environmental, and psychological needs of urban populations. By bridging the divide between built environments and nature, this approach fosters the development of spaces that are not only sustainable and resilient but also restorative, inclusive, and culturally meaningful.As an emerging theoretical framework, biophilic placemaking offers new possibilities for reimagining urban futures—through designs that are ecologically grounded, socially engaging, and deeply connected to human well-being.
Urban Design
saeideh divsalar; Seyed Moslem Seyedalhosseini; toktam hanaee; hadi sarvari
Abstract
Highlights:Public art is a key factor in improving the quality of life and enhancing the attractiveness of urban spaces.Public art and creative placemaking contribute to increasing happiness and improving the quality of happy urban spaces.Analyzing research methods in public art and creative placemaking ...
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Highlights:Public art is a key factor in improving the quality of life and enhancing the attractiveness of urban spaces.Public art and creative placemaking contribute to increasing happiness and improving the quality of happy urban spaces.Analyzing research methods in public art and creative placemaking identifies effective solutions for enhancing happy urban spaces.Extended Abstract1-IntroductionIn today's world, metropolises face numerous environmental, social, and aesthetic challenges that directly affect the quality of life and happiness of their inhabitants. Consequently, creating favorable living conditions and improving the quality of urban spaces have become central concerns in the development of sustainable cities. Public art emerges as an effective tool for enhancing urban spaces and enriching the living experience of city dwellers. Through the creation of creative and aesthetically pleasing environments, public art can strengthen social interactions and increase overall citizen satisfaction. Despite this, existing studies exploring the impact of public art on creative placemaking and the development of happy urban spaces, especially from a methodological perspective, encounter significant challenges. This research focuses on analyzing the methodologies employed in studies on public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces, identifying weaknesses in research methods, and providing recommendations for improvement. Special attention is paid to examining data collection and statistical analysis methods. The findings of this research are expected to improve the quality of studies in this field and serve as a foundation for future inquiries.2- Theoretical Framework2.1 Public Art:Public art, as an essential tool in contemporary urban design, is used in public spaces to enhance social interactions and improve urban identity. From sculptures and murals to graffiti, public art actively shapes the visual and social experiences of citizens, influencing cultural identity, social relationships, and the overall quality of urban environments.2.2 Creative Placemaking:Creative placemaking refers to the innovative process of using art and culture to enhance the economic, social, and physical characteristics of a place. This approach promotes collaboration among various community sectors, aiming for economic revitalization and the strengthening of local identity through artistic and cultural initiatives. As a developmental strategy, creative placemaking necessitates the active participation of artists and cultural organizations to improve aesthetics and social cohesion.2.3 Happy Urban Space:A happy urban space is designed to promote the happiness and well-being of its citizens. By addressing emotional and social needs, such spaces foster a sense of belonging, increase life satisfaction, and provide positive experiences. The design of happy urban spaces should aim to enhance the quality of life and public welfare for all.3- MethodologyThis research employs a mixed-method approach with an applied nature. Utilizing a "Meta-Method" study framework, the research examines and analyzes existing literature in the fields of public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces. For primary data collection, scholarly articles published on Google Scholar were reviewed using selected keywords. The study's statistical population consisted of articles published between 2013 and 2023. Initially, 331 relevant articles were identified, from which 26 were selected based on the research objectives and the quality of their content. Content analysis and open coding methods were employed with the help of Maxqda software to analyze the collected data. The aim of this study is to provide a structured and in-depth analysis of the relationships between public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces, contributing to a deeper understanding of their role in enhancing urban quality of life and social interactions.4-Results and DiscussionThe findings of this research were analyzed using Saunders' "Research Onion" model, which organizes research processes into seven layers. The results indicate that most of the reviewed studies have employed an interpretative approach, utilizing various qualitative analyses to explore public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces. Additionally, critical and positivist approaches were observed, albeit to a lesser extent. Many of the studies adopted inductive methods to investigate relationships and causal factors. The research is primarily descriptive-analytical, providing detailed descriptions and analyses of the issues. A significant portion of the studies focused on the role of public art in cultural and social regeneration, as well as the promotion of urban identity. While quantitative research in this area remains limited, the use of mixed methods can lead to more comprehensive analyses and facilitate the development of more effective urban spaces, enhancing the role of public art in improving the quality of life.5-ConclusionThe present study's review of research in the fields of public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces reveals a valuable interconnection between these concepts. While researchers have examined these topics independently, their intersections and combined effects have received less attention. Studies on happy urban spaces, in particular, are scarce. This research, through the use of Saunders' framework and a systematic review of articles published between 2013 and 2023, shows that approximately 80% of the research utilized qualitative methods, 12% employed quantitative methods, and 8% used mixed methods. The most common focus was on "the relationship between spatial patterns of public art and creative placemaking in community development," while the least explored area was "increasing happiness in urban spaces through public art." Furthermore, studies in this century have placed limited emphasis on the impact of public art on creative placemaking and happy urban spaces, with comparative and critical studies also being sparse. The lack of qualitative analytical tools is evident in these studies. Based on these findings and the identified limitations, it is recommended that future research prioritize broader comparative and critical studies, incorporating diverse research methods, both qualitative and quantitative. Focusing on the influence of public art in creative placemaking and promoting happy urban spaces, especially in developing countries, can significantly enhance urban environments and improve citizens' quality of life. The development of qualitative analytical tools, such as interpretive and inductive methods, will be essential in disentangling and understanding the relationships between public art, creative placemaking, and happy urban spaces, encouraging further research in this field.
