Teenagers and Physical Spaces

Buttazzoni and Minaker studied teenager (age 9 to 17) and identified “several significant associations. Notably, spaces high in complexity (visual richness), imageability (distinctiveness), and enclosure (room-like quality) tended to support positive affect [mood]. Additionally, mixed built-natural spaces scoring high in scale (pedestrian amenities) and complexity appeared to increase calmness and mitigate anxiousness, while biophilic architecture (nature in built design) seemed to support perceived restorativeness. Practice implications include recommendations for planners to consider implementing natural forms of enclosure (e.g. tall trees), imageability (e.g. natural landmarks), and/or complexity (e.g. variety of gardens/shrubs) in or around spaces frequented by adolescents (e.g. schoolyards) to promote psychological well-being, and design socially supportive environments.”

Adrian Buttazzoni and Leia Minaker.  “Associations Between Real-Time, Self-Reported Adolescent Mental Health and Urban and Architectural Design Concepts.” Cities and Health, in press, https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2023.2286741