Understanding playgrounds for inclusive and dynamic urban experiences

July 14, 2025

This study explores how urban playground design can either segregate or integrate children within the broader city fabric. By comparing Venice and Auckland, we illustrate how playgrounds in Venice encourage unstructured exploration, while those in Auckland limit engagement to isolated, structured zones. We propose strategies for urban design that foster inclusive and dynamic public spaces for children.

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A psychology and power intervention to help decision-makers prioritise health in ­­­urban development

July 13, 2025

Evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the built environment has an impact on people’s health, particularly in terms of noncommunicable diseases such as asthma, diabetes and poor mental health. However, health is rarely prioritised in urban planning decisions at present, and earlier work by this research group has shown that senior decision-makers feel they lack the power to influence planning and policy decisions in order to improve the situation. This intervention area adds to the wider research programme, which is focused primarily on the delivery of quantifiable socio-environmental and health economics valuations. People make decisions not just based on economic valuation, so an understanding of why people make decisions and how those decisions can change is essential. This paper describes the methodology that will be used to develop this intervention. Findings will be published later.

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Collaboration for healthier urban development

July 13, 2025

Health evidence could be used more effectively to influence healthier urban development. We learn from a researcher-practitioner collaboration, involving an embedded researcher in local government working on a regeneration project, which helped to develop a new health modelling tool for environmental change and influence decision-making.

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The impact of apartment design on changes in housing satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

June 19, 2025

Our study investigated whether apartment dwelling and building design attributes influenced residents’ housing satisfaction in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate models showed that residents’ perceptions of their apartment’s internal space and layout and the thermal comfort it afforded them in winter were independently associated with increased housing satisfaction.

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How do high-rise communal spaces shape residents’ social interactions?

June 19, 2025

High-rise apartment buildings are increasingly popular in large cities, however, urban land availability for outdoor communal spaces is limited. Creating communal spaces for high population density is a challenging task. Past research indicates the importance of the immediate environment in stimulating social interaction and the spatial organization for social activities can play an important role. One may ask whether the design of communal spaces within high-rise buildings can stimulate social interaction among residents.

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