Big Cities Are Hurting Our Brains—But Scientists Know a Cure
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By Elizabeth Rayne
Published on March 3, 2026.
The study suggests that the increasing study of neuroaesthetics, which studies the effects aesthetic features have on the brain, could help cities improve their mental health. Neuroaesthetic research has found that humans are adapted to respond to motifs in nature, and mental health improves when exposed to such patterns. However, environments that promote mental wellness are often not accessible to all, leading to aesthetic deprivation in low-income and marginalized urban communities. The study also suggests that neuroaesthetic quality is part of environmental justice, suggesting equitable access to environments that are perceivedually and affectively supportive. The research also suggests a framework for rating urban spaces based on three psychological dimensions: coherence, fascination, and hominess.
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