The impact of urban design on mental well-being by integrating green spaces in Doha City, Qatar

Shikha Patel ,Nour Jabbour ,Deepthi John ,Ahmad M. Ahmad ,Raffaello Furlan ,Rashid Al-Matwi ,Rima J. Isaifan

doi:10.24294/jipd.v8i3.3147

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The impact of urban design on mental well-being by integrating green spaces in Doha City, Qatar

Shikha Patel

Nour Jabbour

Deepthi John

Ahmad M. Ahmad

Raffaello Furlan

Rashid Al-Matwi

Rima J. Isaifan

Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development 2024, 8(3), 3147; https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i3.3147

Submitted：02 Nov 2023

Accepted：21 Nov 2023

Published：20 Feb 2024

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Abstract

The fields of urban design and public health play an important role in the success and failure of the city. Research combining the two fields to improve citizens’ lives is rare, particularly in a rapidly developing city like Doha. This study highlights the urban planning efforts of the municipality of Doha city to improve the mental health of its citizens and aims to understand the impact of urban design elements on mental health by analyzing the physical form and characteristics of green urban areas in Doha. The methods employed include an observational study and a structured survey interview, where visitors’ responses to selected green urban areas are analyzed. The results show how Doha officials are working to improve the mental health of its citizens by providing accessible, child-friendly, older citizen-friendly, and equitable green urban spaces and suggesting policies that could provide more opportunities for people and the government to provide a healthier environment in Doha. The implications encompass shaping urban design strategies, raising public awareness, enhancing healthcare initiatives, and ultimately emphasizing the positive impact of well-designed green spaces for mental well-being in Doha and other Gulf countries.

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