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ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6163-7596

Access Type

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

thesis

Degree Program

Architecture

Degree Type

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)

Year Degree Awarded

2020

Month Degree Awarded

May

Abstract

Well-being is a major cultural concern today and is increasingly a priority for architects and designers. However, the meaning of well-being is hard to define and often misunderstood. Well-being is frequently seen rather narrowly, even though it is essentially a holistic concept that includes physical, mental, social, and economic well-being. To achieve a state of well-being these different aspects must remain in balance. In the age of urbanization, with the world’s urban population expected to nearly double by 2050, the notion of well-being becomes especially important for architects and urban designers when considering the implications for the urban environment to accommodate this influx of people.

This thesis focuses both on understanding the impact that the urban built environment has on holistic well-being across a variety of factors as well as understanding how architecture and design can support well-being in changing urban environments. By clearly defining well-being, assessing current standards for well-being, analyzing a variety of case studies, and ultimately proposing a new, mixed-use development in Providence, RI as an exemplar of urban design and architecture that supports well-being, this thesis outlines a model for how to design for well-being in a way that both supports existing communities while anticipating the growth of these communities as a result of continued urbanization.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/17514579

First Advisor

Robert Williams

Included in

Architecture Commons

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