This book responds to the need for a comprehensive and detailed theoretical framework and systemic design guidelines to improve mental, physical, and social health in urban environments.

Although rapid urban development has created enormous economic and social value, it has also brought problems which have posed serious threats to the health of urban residents. Healthy Landscapes begins by reviewing practical experience, as well as theoretical and scientific evidence, from several related disciplines from around the world. This is used to construct a provisional framework consisting of ten theoretical pathways for the environment to promote mental, physical, and social health: relieving mental stress; restoring direct attention; promoting environmental preference; promoting sublime and transcendent perceptions; promoting active lifestyles; preventing the spread of infectious diseases; promoting ecological services; enhancing social support; promoting the sense of belonging; and improving the sense of security. From these ten theoretical pathways, the authors go on to identify thirty-six critical environmental characteristics for creating healthy communities, which are used to inform the design guidelines they go on to apply to community environment scenarios.

This book will be an invaluable resource for students of landscape architectural design, architecture, and urban design. It will also be an essential tool for design professionals and urban administrators who want a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental theories of healthy communities with design guidelines supported by scientific evidence.