Join us at noon next Tuesday, September 12th for the monthly green building talk…
Biophilic Design for Cities: How Can it Transform Health and Wellbeing?
Biophilia refers to our innate tendencies to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. This presentation will explore how biophilic design at a city-wide level can generate positive health and wellbeing. Firstly, it will present a theoretical framework that explains why nature has a positive health effect, together with a model of ‘green health’. Examples of this model will be presented across three themes: mental health focusing on stress regulation; the life span (children and older people) and chronic health conditions (Alzheimer’s and Cancer Care) with examples drawn from around the world.
Speaker: Jenny Roe is Professor of Design and Health, and the Director of the Center of Design and Health at the School of Architecture, University of Virginia in the US. An environmental psychologist, she has expertise in how the design of the built environment can maximize human flourishing and mental wellbeing. Before her move to the USA, she worked alongside environmental scientists and health professionals as Leader in Human Wellbeing and Behavior Change for the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) exploring how best to build sustainable, resilient and healthy cities. Her research has pioneered methods for quantifying the health benefits of good urban design, using physiological indicators such as cortisol – the stress hormone – and mobile electroencephalography (EEG) to explore emotional activity on the move in cities, a form of ‘neuro-urbanism’. Much of her research explores health inequities in economically disadvantaged communities, including racial/ethnic minorities, children and teenagers, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions including severe mental health problems.
This luncheon will be held at City Space, 100 5th St. NE, on the Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, VA. Doors open at 11:45 and the Seminar begins at 12:00. Luncheons are open to the public. Lunch is provided, attendance is free for GVGBC members and $10 for non members.
The Housing Lab 