Neuro Urbanism How Cities Shape the Brain Behaviour and Mental Well Being

Urban environments are not neutral backdrops for human life. Density, sound, light, spatial complexity and architectural form continuously influence cognitive processes, emotional states and everyday behaviour long before conscious decision-making occurs. As urbanisation accelerates, cities increasingly function as permanent sensory environments that shape mental well-being, social interaction and stress levels. This Urban Library session introduces neuro-urbanism as an emerging interdisciplinary field connecting neuroscience, psychology and urban design. The session explores how urban and architectural conditions affect attention, anxiety, social behaviour and mental health, and why these effects must be considered as part of housing and public space planning. By translating scientific insights into spatial thinking, the session moves beyond theory to identify design principles that can reduce cognitive overload, support emotional balance and improve quality of life. The discussion positions neuro-urbanism as a preventive approach, where architecture and urban planning actively contribute to mental well-being and resilience. The session brings together architects, urban planners, researchers and policy-oriented experts to frame cities as cognitive and emotional ecosystems, offering a new lens for human-centred and resilient urban development aligned with WUF priorities.