The importance of architectural development supporting sustainable development
Cities have continued to grow unprecedentedly around the world. At the same time, there are social and environmental issues that confront people. Meanwhile, the growth of urban centers has continued to deplete available natural resources (Grierson, 2003). This situation threatens human existence.
The rate of depletion has reached unsustainable levels and therefore, urban design must seek to create sustainability.
Urban policymakers must also use architectural development in urban centers to reduce disparities between the rich and the poor.
If urban designers fail to change the current designs, then it is likely that the environment will continue to degrade, affect human health and hinder survival abilities.
Designers have strived to reflect their intents through structural designs. In this respect, designers tend to consider space and light in their design forms. These elements could be used wisely to ensure the development of sustainable buildings and natural resources. Poor incorporation and utilization of natural resources in urban designs lead to irresponsible use of resources to support buildings and occupants. This leads to massive use of resources.
Designers, therefore, must understand how to incorporate elements of nature to sustain their buildings irrespective of aesthetic features and intentions they communicate.
Urban built environments have profound impacts on human health. Therefore, designing humane and friendly structures is an important element that urban designers and planners must consider to create favorable environments for people, conserve the environment, reduce depletion of resources and ensure sustainable developments. Sustainable development is necessary to ensure survival of future generations.
Urban populations are responsible for most destructive activities on the environment, including carbon emission. Given the current rate of resource depletion, global warming and use of natural resources, it would be difficult to ensure sustainable development.
As urban designers construct structures, they must consider all aspects of environmental sustainability and human health, as well as users. Building designs should be flexible to accommodate various users. This implies that designers should account for various users, provide adequate space and abilities to ensure that occupants use building efficiently. Designers must ensure that such built environments are efficient and meet environmental specifics in order to ensure sustainable development.
The environmental psychological implications of commercial and residential design, including purpose and considerations
Urban built environments have critical influences on human behaviors and well-being. Today, people spend much time in built environments than in natural environments. As a result, it is vital for architectural designs to incorporate elements of natural environments into built environments. Therefore, residential and commercial space designs should incorporate elements of natural environments to reduce adverse effects on inhabitants.
In this regard, designers must account for occupants’ well-being, design space, social activities and include privacy as well.
As human population density increases, it becomes extremely difficult for designers to provide the needed privacy and individual space. In addition, highly dense areas present serious threats to individual controls and social activities.
The rise in populations and the need to accommodate people in built environments have resulted in much pressure on limited natural resources. Therefore, the idea of sustainable development is relevant to protect the available natural resources such as water and forests. Sustainable development must also limit the growing gaps between the rich and the poor and ensure that urban planners incorporate designs that support human existence.
Urban designs should have overall positive effects on occupants. Therefore, designers must understand functional capabilities of their designs and their impacts on the environment and human health.
Architectural designs have fundamental influences on human well-being and health. It is therefore imperative to consider various aspects of design in all building. Ayers recognizes density, privacy and control as important elements in building designs (Ayers, 2007).
Density influences psychological status of people if the building cannot provide adequate space for occupants. People require personal space and privacy and abilities to control their environments.
Architectural designs should restore health and well-being of occupants, including emotional status. At the same time, they should limit stress and enhance productivity.
Designs should be user-friendly and depict clear roles.
Designers must incorporate important elements of interior designs and enhance human health in a built environment. Natural environments tend to reduce stress and promote mental health, as well as physical recovery. In other words, individuals who interact with nature tend to be healthier relative to those who interact with built environments. Today, hospitals, residential and office buildings aim to include elements of natural environments to promote recovery, productivity and general health of occupants.
References
Ayers, S. (2007). Cambridge handbook of psychology, health and medicine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Grierson, D. (2003). Arcology and Arcosanti: Towards a Sustainable Built Environment. Electronic Green Journal, 1(18), 1-18.