NUS M.ARCH Thesis Part I of 2: Thesis Design Research

H3 Health and happiness through holistic design strategies

AR5806 Architectural Design Research Report Productive Landscapes

by Yap Pei Li, Beverly | A0188315Y Thesis Advisor:Assoc.Prof Tan Teck Kiam

Acknowledgements Words cannot explain how grateful and blessed I am to have received the unwavering support from my family, friends and tutors as I navigated through this exhausting semester.

I would like to express my gratitude to my thesis supervisor, Prof Tan for his guidance over the past few months. Thank you for your patience, dedication, open-ness and willingness to accept and build upon the ideas I present.

I would also like to thank the following individuals: To my family, for their love and acts of service, dealing with my anxieties and engaging in both intellectual and brainless talk.

being there for me to ask stupid questions,bounce ideas off and

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serve as a source of comic-relief and support.

Health and happiness through holistic design strategies

And lastly, to my friends, Sarah, Zhe Wei, Wendy and Tara - for

Semester 1 AY 2022/2023

Student Beverly Yap Pei Li A0188315Y

Advisor, interviewees, lecturers and consultants Assoc.Prof Tan Teck Kiam (Thesis Advisor) Assoc.Prof Ruzica Bozovic Stamenovic (2nd Reader)

Contents Acknowledgements Research

Research Abstract (300 words) 00 Introduction

01 Understanding our landscape: The psycho-social realm 1.1 - The VUCA World 1.2 - Societal beliefs

02 Psychological theories as guiding principles 2.1 - The biopsychosocial model 2.2 - Salutogenesis 2.3 - Hedonism and Eudaimonism 2.4 - Analysis

03 Understanding our landscape: The physical realm 3.1 - The lived experience 3.2 - The private sanctuary

6 7

11 13

16 17 19 24 28 29

04 Alternative landscapes: Case studies Case study 1 - Toa payoh old town, Singapore Case study 2 - Suzhou, China Case study 3 - Public parks, London Case study takeaways

32 36 40 42

05 Urban sanctuaries 5.1 - Urban sanctauries Explained 5.2 - Design Strategies 5.3 - The Journey

46 47 49

Biblography List of figures

Appendices

BLANK PAGE

55-56

58-61

Self-disclosure of research

4

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RESEARCH ABSTRACT

00 INTRODUCTION

Given the state of present-day geo-political affairs, attempts at restoring normalcy within a pandemic, coping with rising costs of living and caring for family members on top of other daily stresses, it comes as no surprise that mental and physical health had plummeted across the board.

and highlight the pursuit of health through holistic (both eudaimonic and hedonistic) design considerations.

Through such interventions, a townscape which facilitates the production of happiness, efficiency and rest would be able to exist alongside the traditional livework-play model.

Recent surveys and interviews conducted by Channel News Asia (CNA) have revealed that 38% of the population had indicated a decline in mental health due to the onset of the pandemic1 and that more individuals are facing burnout and feelings of apathy2. In the past few years, the discussion of mental health and its associated topics of wellness, happiness and condition management have inadvertently become a hot topic for discussion.

Apart from focusing on physical ailments, such discussions have also opened up the topic of health and psychological considerations in a spatial sense, making the shortcomings in our urban provisions and lack of consideration for wellness aspects glaringly obvious.

(Word count: 270)

The thesis asserts that architecture and urban designs have a significant role and influence in alleviating our urban issues of poor health, mental wellness and stress.

The thesis reimagines the development process of Singapore which is informed by psychological theories instead of being entirely motivated by social, political and pragmatic drivers. Such landscapes showcase the plugging of “gaps” within the urban fabric, the introduction of “urban sanctuaries” (a typology aimed at promoting different aspects of wellness in urban living)

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H3: Health and happiness through holistic design strategies

Keywords: Happiness, health, mental wellness, urban interventions, architecture

[Image 1,Source: Siam, Adobe Stock]

According to a study conducted by the Institute of mental health (IMH), approximately 13% of over 1000 participants have reported exhibiting symptoms of anxiety and depression during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic3. Another study in 2021 has also revealed that Singapore has been ranked as the “unhappiest workforce in the world” with 48% of respondents indicating that they were dissatisfied with work4. With reference to such statistics, it is evident that declining overall wellness is an issue that is prominent amongst all demographics, potentially contributing to decreased productivity and increased healthcare expenditure.

Although it is overly idealistic to assume that revamping the built environment alone is capable of bringing about enhanced wellness for the population, this thesis adopts an optimistic stance towards architecture and urban planning’s role in the “production of positive outcomes” through addressing the ever-changing physical and social landscape. By considering psychological theories and salutogenic design principles, the wellness journey towards attaining overall well-being becomes less elusive.

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01 UNDERSTANDING OUR LANDSCAPE: THE PSYCHO-SOCIAL REALM

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CHAPTER 1.1 THE VUCA WORLD

Examining the “Psycho-social” realm seeks to shed light on the stresses and undercurrents of the stigma that an average Singaporean is met with.

We inhabit a “VUCA” (Volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world, ridden with geopolitical issues, digital technology advancements, wars, natural disasters etc. Given the unrelenting rate at which human-kind has been bombarded with “black swan” events (such as COVID-19, Russian-Ukraine war etc.), coupled with the exhaustingly fast pace of everyday life, it is no wonder that Singaporeans are “experiencing more mental health problems” with “24% respondents felt (feeling) anxious and 21% said (saying) they were depressed”5. Some commonly cited sources of stress during the pandemic period included the fear of infections, financial difficulties and the prospect of unemployment 6. Academic performance, compromised learning environments and future prospects were reported as concerns for youths 7. In the same vein, survey respondents in earlier years had identified financial concerns, competitive work cultures, long work hours and high personal expectations as reasons for unhappiness8. One particularly badly affected demographic worth mentioning would be the sandwich generation who are responsible for caring for the young and old within the family (in addition to other commitments), resulting them feeling especially drained and tired.

In such cases, it would be prudent to advocate for flexible and adaptive solutions in addition to shortterm solutions such as monetary payouts to tide individuals through difficult periods. This then begs the question of how the environment can be fashioned to promote wellness across a spectrum of scales for all demographics.

[Image 2.LEFT]: Being bombarded with a slew of black swan events combined with the onset of COVID-19 has forced us to adapt quickly to new living and working conditions.

Encountering burnout and declining overall wellness is becoming a widespread public health concern.]

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CHAPTER 1.2 SOCIETAL BELIEFS

To further complicate matters, Singapore, like China, Japan and Korea, has been programmed to subscribe to the Confucian heritage culture (CHC) which emphasizes group orientation, hierarchical harmony, influential relationships/networks(“guanxi”), and social standing (“mianzi”)9. These values glorify the pursuit of personal achievements through self-effort and are often associated with high-stress levels and poor mental well-being10. Due to the stigma of mental health problems, Singaporeans and other East Asians, tend to express and communicate emotional and psychological distress via physical manifestations of bodily ailments 11.

Somatization, therefore, compromises the number of workdays for individuals, increases the healthcare burden and decreases overall mental resilience, resulting in a decrease in workforce productivity 12.

Such issues pertaining to health, wellness and productivity on a societal scale should be addressed and used to spark discussions regarding the potential of adapting the built environment for the benefit of all demographics. Remodeling the landscape to bring about positive societal outcomes could offer a more productive and efficient method when executed in tandem with changing individuals’ mindsets relating to mental health stigma and utilizing existing health provisions.

[Image 3,LEFT]: This image illustrates how the subscription to Confucian Heritage Culture has resulted in negative ramifications for society. The 5 characters represent the 5 5 Confucian virtues (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and fidelity), which are in itself beneficial principles.

However, the pressure resulting from the constant pursuit of success, avoidance of conflict etc., have contributed to exacerbated mental stress.

The mask on the character represents the creation of a front that we present to others.]

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02 PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES AS GUIDING PRINCIPLES

[Image 4,LEFT]: Looking past the built environment, social interactions and individual’s psyche, we see another version of ourselves, from a purely biological standpoint. When we take a step back to consider the biopsychosocial model, it becomes evident that the environment affects our health, interactions and perceptions of space and vice versa.]

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THE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL - THE BI-DIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP

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CHAPTER 2.1 THE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL

CHAPTER 2.2 SALUTOGENESIS

Architecture and psychology are closely related domains of study, and the impact that the environment has on humans and vice versa have been widely studied. Take, for example, the cases of sick building syndrome13, pollution-related illnesses and high incidences of depression among city dwellers. Although psychological studies are mostly pertaining to stress, wellness and medical care, these same findings can also be mapped to architecture and spatial design.

psychological parameters do come into play14. Although originally conceptualized in the context of patient care, this echoes the understanding that a humans senses and cognition play an important role in the experience of space15. This model ties in with salutogenesis which acknowledges that the environment engages humans on both the cognitive and emotional levels, affecting the individual’s thoughts and actions.

The biopsychosocial model introduced by American psychiatrist George Engle states that the health and wellness of individuals do not depend solely on body functions, instead, a range of social, biological and

[Image 5,BELOW]:The components of the BPS model are

Salutogenesis is defined as the “study of the origins of health”16 with a particular focus on holistic interventions to bring about health and wellness. The book “Restorative cities: an urban design for mental health and wellbeing” written by Jenny Roe and Layla McCay expands and breaks down the components of salutogenic design in the context of urban environments17. The “restorative city” framework introduced in the first chapter encompasses the following domains namely, green spaces, blue spaces, inclusivity, sensorial experiences, promotion of active lifestyles, play and community building18. Such a guide is definitely useful as a checklist. However, it would be overly idealistic to overlook its limitations in a real-world implementation.

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mapped from the medical context to the spatial context. The categories, programs and environmental conditions listed are non-exhaustive with areas of overlaps. ]

These 7 principles focus predominantly on the passive provision of amenities, which does not equate to utilization or opportunities for community enjoyment.

The accessibility and barriers to entry to such programs may prevent its benefits from being fully realized.

[Image 6, BELOW]:The 7 components of the restorative city] [Source: Jenny Roe and Layla McCay, Restorative cities: Urban Design for Mental Health and Wellbeing]

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CHAPTER 2.3 HEDONISM AND EUDAIMONISM L SITE E AS THE IDEA P A C S D N LA R ES S OU ION OF HAPPIN T C U D O R P E H FOR T

Eudaimonic happiness falls under the category of mental health19, which is a key element of the overall wellness journey. It is more complex than hedonistic happiness as it goes beyond that of short-term relief20. According to Carol Ryff’s framework for psychological well-being, the following categories - namely: personal growth, self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life and positive relationships have to be fulfilled for the creation of a satisfying lived experience21. The concept of hedonism and eudaimonism can also be extrapolated to the spatial realm.

The two diagrams in the following pages gives an overview of how certain familiar environments are expected to fair in terms of their ability to bring about eudaimonic happiness and the perceived duration that this happiness is expected to last. Although this exercise can be argued to be very subjective, this overview represents how variety in program, environment, stimulation of the senses (apart from sight) and connotations related to a space can result in the differences in profiling. It can also be observed how “eudaimonic happiness”, rarely ever exists alone but is usually a bi-product of a “hedonic” activity.

The built environment’s role centers around provision, which is in line with the tangible nature of hedonistic goals. In contrast, eudaimonic needs are intangible and difficult to quantify, resulting in the fulfilment of the 5 components of psychological well-being becoming closely intertwined with the quality of spaces.

To a large extent, the evaluation of the environment’s ability to invoke eudaimonic happiness depends on architectural design elements and stimulation of the 5 human senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch), ability to provide longer-term gratification and encourage public participation which can effectively trigger positive memories, feelings and create ambiences suited to pursue self-fulfillment.

[Image 7.LEFT]: Hedonism and Eudaimonism in its purest, most traditional form - consumption, thrill and pleasureseeking activities as opposed to self-development, quality time and meditation etc. How then is hedonism and eudaimonism understood in the spatial sense?]

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[Image 8,ABOVE]: Image illustrating a subjective take on where different spaces lie on the scale of hedonism and eudaimonism - these spaces are ranked based on their spatial quality and percieved ability to bring about health outcomes.]

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[Image 9,ABOVE]:A subjective review of the duration of time where happiness would linger depending on the space and program the individual has participated in. ]

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CHAPTER 2.4 ANALYSIS

The three psychological theories have provided greater insight into the ways in which intentional design choices can positively affect the cognitive-emotional aspects of users. The application of these theories and their significance in the spatial domain will be elaborated upon in the following paragraphs.

“Hedonism” in the spatial context has been and should continue to be prioritized. Although the traditional notion of hedonism has a negative connotation due to its association with indulgence22, these environments can be re-framed as the active creation of pleasurable spaces which echoes the provision-centric approach of “urban restorative” environments. Additionally, components of the bio-psychosocial are also directly addressed and satiated through hedonistic provisions due to the bidirectional relationship between the body, internal states and environment.

The 2022 World Happiness Report has also shed light on the role of the environment in bringing about overall wellness by creating spaces which allow for trust and cultivation of strong communities and accessible naturecentric sites23.

The varying success of each country’s achievement of these goals demonstrates how certain tenets of eudaimonism (such as inclusivity and building positive relationships) are arguably more easily manifested through physical interventions. This would therefore inform future design interventions in terms of tailoring and translating these intangible goals into feasible and implementable interventions.

Without the basic fulfilment of physiological and cognitive needs, the provision of atmospheres targeting health and eudaimonic outcomes is likely to go unnoticed and remain underutilized. These points build a strong ground for the argument that opportunities for eudaimonia to take root should be embedded and upplayed within hedonic programs in order to offset the pressing need for a landscape with greater consideration for health and happiness on a community level. A mentally and physically satiated community would prove to be a worthwhile investment in human capital.

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LIGHT POLLUTION AND DISTRACTIONS

CONGESTION AHEAD! EXPECT LONG DELAYS AND POLLUTION!

AIR POLLUTANTS

LIGHT POLLUTION

03 UNDERSTANDING OUR LANDSCAPE: THE PHYSICAL REALM NOISE POLLUTION

[Image 11,LEFT]: Illustrates the most basic sources of overwhelming environmental stimuli that individuals are exposed to in the urban living environments such as light,noise and air pollution etc.]

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H3: Health and happiness through holistic designLIFE: strategies CITY URBAN LIVING AND STRESSES

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CHAPTER 3.1 THE LIVED EXPERIENCE

CHAPTER 3.2 THE PRIVATE SANCTUARY

In the following chapter, the urban landscape in the context of Singapore and its associated challenges will be discussed. The continual renewal of master plans and urban regeneration projects is a testament to the forward-looking planning parameters stipulated by the relevant government agencies. However, the onslaught of disruptions in recent years has called for rapid adaptations on both the domestic and societal scale. One example which showcases the change in physical landscapes would be the emptier workspaces and shopping malls24. Therefore, reinventing spaces to cater to evolving needs first requires a fundamental understanding of the lived experience, site challenges and wellness considerations, which will be touched upon in the following sections.

On a smaller and more intimate scale, the physical landscapes also encompass the sites of productive (income generating) and reproductive (domestic realm, caregiving, unpaid) labor30. For some, the pandemic and hybrid working arrangements have robbed individuals of their personal sanctuaries - detaching mentally from work proves to be challenging, working hours may be longer and sharing of limited workspace amongst family members are common causes of friction31.

The detrimental effects on an individual’s physical, social and mental health25 as a result of occupying urban environments is a well-studied and documented domain.

Urban dwellers have been proven to be at higher risk of developing anxiety, depression and respiratory diseases26; which are further exacerbated by environmental factors such as pollution, noise, lack of access to green spaces, over-stimulation and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

In the book “The Metropolis”, Georg Simelle argues that the environment we inhabit has a significant effect on our psychological perception27, explaining how the continual exposure to intense environmental stimuli, coupled with the desire to be self-reliant has caused individuals to become increasingly insular - leading to alienation and

Singapore is a highly urbanized and densely populated city-state. According to the CIA World book,100% of the population resides in urban areas28. However, the challenges of urban living have not manifested to their full extent due to significantly smaller populations and the extent of built-up areas in comparison to relatively larger urban cities such as Tokyo and Shanghai29. Moving forward, it would be unrealistic to conclude that regressing to post-urbanization times would serve as an appropriate remedy. The approach adopted should instead be tailored to providing quality spaces that do not worsen the aforementioned environmental triggers.

The conception of ” New business models”32 as a result of “increased digitalization”33 and the shift towards maintaining hybrid work schedules can be observed as a common practice in the domain of productive labour.

The home is now recontextualized as an alternative site for work given the increasingly portable nature of work and the domestic-scale spatial reconfigurations surrounding remote working setups being largely resolved.

of literal and figurative shelter, an alternative spatial typology would be required to re-instate the “homes” function as a private space for escapism and restoration.

This also raises the question of how townscapes can better integrate work into the heartlands while creating urban spaces dedicated to private rest outside the home.

Current urban spaces related to recreation and rest are usually hosted in very public and open spaces, such an example would include mass exercise activities within a shopping mall’s outdoor premises. At this juncture, it is safe to conclude that the provision of individualistic, personal spaces for the purpose of respite and seclusion is lacking.

With reference to the above, the home effectively becomes the site of productive and reproductive labour, on top of being the site of supposed rest, comfort and seclusion. Hybrid working arrangements have also resulted in decreased autonomy and control over an individual’s work-life, resulting in decreased eudaimonic happiness.

decreased eudaimonic happiness.

Seeing how the “home” fails to live up to its purpose

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04 ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPES: CASE STUDIES

MENTAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PHSYIOLOGICAL

[Image 12,LEFT]: The background of the image shows snippets of green and blue spaces commonly associated with the creation of WELNESS

salutogenic and restful environments. The monitoring system attached to the character monitors the “wellness restoration” and

RESTORATION HEDONISM EUDAIMONISM

HAPPINESS

FLUCTUATION

“happiness fluctuation” levels, illustrating how a change in environmental ambience within the urban context can result in improved physical and mental conditions.]

CASE STUDIES: SALUTOGENIC PROPERTIES AND WELLNESS RESTORATION 30

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CASE STUDY 1 TOA PAYOH OLD TOWN, SINGAPORE

Government agencies such as the Urban redevelopment authority (URA) and Housing development board (HDB) work alongside each other, spearheading urbanscale interventions for neighbourhoods and wider communities. Over time, planning outcomes have moved away from prioritizing basic physiological needs (such as the construction of satellite towns and public housing 34 ) to more novelty goals such as green living, mental wellness and renewal works.

[Image 14/15: Toa Payoh Old town site pictures] [Image

13,BELOW]:Summary

of

overarching

town

development plans for each time period. By analysing each planning typology, the success and failures of old and new towns can be easily identified.]

IMAGES RETRIEVED FROM Urban redevelopment agency National heritage board Housing development board Roots.gov.sg National Archives of Singapore The Straits Times

HOUSING CRISIS 1960

‘OLD TOWN’

HDB set up in 1960s Agency to address Singapore’s housing crisis Flats were designed for practicality and basal level needs First satellite town set up in Queenstown, Tanglin Halt

1950 -1970s

1964

Creation of Satellite towns - aim: self- sufficiency Consisting of neighbourhoods grouped around a town centre

1960

Providing amenities such as markets, religious buildings, clinics, sports facilities, food courts, cinemas etc.

Eg. Queenstown (First satellite town), Toa Payoh (Second Satellite town)

TIMELINE

OVER TIME,THEMES AND GOALS SHIFTED FROM PRAGMATIC TO NOVELTY

PRECINCT

NEIGBOURHOOD

TOWN

1978

1998

PRECINCT CONCEPT

CREATING SUSTAINABLE AND SMART HOMES

Precinct - 4-8 HDB blocks, public space, playground Neighbourhood - 6-7 precincts Town - 4-5 neighbourhoods

Community- centric towns, smart towns Encouraging walking and cycling, potential car-lite towns Biophilia

Precinct - Neighbourhood - Town hierarchy Intention of fostering community bonding Precinct and neighbourhood would cater to resident’s daily needs (market, coffee shop, playground as focal commmunal areas) Town to substantiate

Eg. Tengah Masterplan Bukit Batok , Holland Plain

2010 - 20XX

1970 - 1990s

Eg. Tampines

‘NEW TOWN’ 1990-2000s Creation of liveable and community- centric towns “Innovative, modern and green” Imclusive communities Main upgrading programme (MUP) - Launched in 1992 to improve older blocks and precincts Eg. Punggol 21 first unveiled in 1996 Later replaced by 2007 plan

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[Image 16,ABOVE]: Image showing on-site connectivity of spaces in relation to one another. It is evident that the main hub and Toa Payoh old town are well connected and are the main activity nodes. Beyond that, less connectivity can be observed between spaces despite the relatively close proximity to each other and to residential areas.]

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The key benefits of old town planning would be the convenience and walkability offered. In the case of Toa Payoh, a town dating back to the 1970s, most residents can access basic programs such as food stalls, playgrounds and provision shops within a 300m radius of their houses.

This observation proves how tangible aspects of wellbeing35 are generally accounted for, albeit in more passive means. Such a lineup of closely packed sites also results in natural synergies between different activities and congregations of various residents, giving different zones within the town their unique characteristics.

These “organic” means of identity development prove to be more useful and relatable to residents as compared to top-down design solutions such as assigning predetermined town parks and specific HDB block designs. Developing and capitalising on this identity allows the sense of belonging and positive relationships between residents to be cultivated over time.

[Image 17,ABOVE]:The 100 and 300-m radius is drawn around an activity node. Note-worthy programs such as sports complexes, community centres, markets, worship spaces etc. within each 300m radius is also marked out to show the variety of programs and resultant sphere of influence these spaces have on the surrounding environments.]

Speaking from personal experience, exploring the site guided purely on visual and sensorial queues did not lead me to the large town garden due to its apparent disconnection from the old town. On top of compromised casual access, the distance between these spaces has contributed to restricted biodiversity proliferation.

Research has shown how green space quality and the existence of biodiversity are beneficial to boosting the generation of “restorative benefits”36 for inhabitants.

Despite the expansion of green spaces in view of town improvement initiatives and new town visions37, the greenery on-site functions more as decorative elements rather than contributing to a “calming and restorative” outdoor ambience.

There are a total of 4 main parks (Town Park, Sensory Park and Braddell park and Toa Payoh Heights Park) and smaller plots of vegetation and community gardens distributed around the site. In spite of this provision, these green spaces are generally lacking in physical and visual connectivity, resulting in decreased footfall - the 4-lane Lorong 6 Toa Payoh Road splitting the town park from the main town center is a case in point.

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CASE STUDY 2 SUZHOU, CHINA

Su Zhou is one of the oldest and more well-preserved ancient towns in the Yangtze basin. The old town’s most well-recognizable features include the waterbased transportation grid and classical gardens which contribute to the iconic waterscape image38 Over the years, Su Zhou has been part of the lineup for the “happiest cities in China”39, serving as an example of the coexistence of history, modernity and unintentional wellness promotion.

Living, working or simply visiting a site with an abundance of green and blue spaces brings about health benefits such as reduced stress and mental fatigue40.

The slower pace of life and physical conditions like the sound of running water, reduced heat island effect and the provision of social spaces in the forms of “corridor bridges” and pavilions contributes to a relatively healing experience.

[Image 19,ABOVE]: Old map showing the layout of waterways and grid system of Suzhou water village in the past.]

[Source: Wikipedia Commons]

[Image 18,ABOVE]: Suzhou water village, buildings and streets flank the sides of the waterways] [Source: Szekely Pedro, Flickr]

[Image 20,ABOVE]: Suzhou classical gardens showcasing a combination of engineered and natural landscapes.]

[Source: Andrew & Annemarie, Flickr]

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The routes are located around the perimeter of the waterscapes while walls and “moon gates” are used to segregate spaces and intentionally frame backdrops41.

Expanding and contracting routes, decorative elements and the integration of nature create a sense of curiosity as visitors are exposed to different sights and activities, altering the pace and experience of navigating the site.

The garden’s detachment from the increasingly urbanised and populated town also encourages tranquility and peace due to an abundance of nature and physical containment of noise and air pollution.

The presence of publicly accessible green and blue spaces in the context of Suzhou and Singapore both points to the fulfilment of hedonistic provisions, however, the extent to which eudaimonic aspects have been addressed deviates significantly. In contrast to the “tranquil” and “restful” environments created by classical gardens and water networks, the pragmatic treatment of green and blue spaces in Singapore facilitates the performance of their intended purposes of street cooling, soil erosion control, water catchment and national identity building but offer little value add beyond their intended functions.

A prime example would be the design of park connectors which utilizes leftover spaces such as pavements and drainage reserves to connect parks and recreational spots. These journeys rely on “borrowed” scenery42 and small-scale interventions; causing them to be less intentional in choreographing experiences and embedding eudaimonic considerations within the hedonic provision.

[Image 21,ABOVE]: Analysis of the Humble Administrator’s Garden] [Source: linresearch (adapted by author)]

[Image 22,ABOVE]:Park connectors in Singapore, connecting green spaces and providing recreation opportunities in our urban contexts.]

[Source: National Parks]

[Image 23,ABOVE]:The sectional cut of most basic park connectors] [Source: Centre for Liveable Cities Singpore]

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CASE STUDY 3 PUBLIC PARKS, LONDON

47% of London’s land area is being occupied by green spaces43, housing a total of approximately 3000 parks44.

These parks function as the city’s green lungs and perform an integral role in London’s recreational and wellness scene. Currently, London holds the record for having the highest percentage of residents living within a 5 minutes walking distance from a nearby park or green space. This, coupled with the extensive program offerings (such as horse riding, golfing, cycling and volunteering in the case of Wimbledon common) and random punctuations of the urban fabric points to the parks effectively fulfills the role as a site for public relief.

Although Singapore is known for being a garden city, the perception of “greening efforts” and value of nature are not always recognized or prioritized. For example, green spaces and connectors are compromised for infrastructural developments while urban green spaces get reduced to pocket parks with public fixtures (such as swings and seating). These manicured spaces have a diminished potential in contributing to healing environments and constitute a public good with limited engagement.

[Image 24,ABOVE]:Hyde park water feature and greenery] [Source: Convertini,D,Flickr]

These parks are generally porous and were intentionally designed to be a program rather than an in-between space or carefully manicured attraction (such as Gardens by the bay)- the widespread accessibility to this public good allows residents to reap health benefits while unintentionally cementing communal traditions and tolerance. The treatment of these parks and their perceived importance as a recreational breakout space is closely tied to its estimated monetary value - which is approximately to be about £5b a year45. Having such knowledge allows users to better appreciate this public space and see it as a valuable asset rather than a practical necessity with rigid purposes which include, but are not limited to functioning as connectors, exercise spaces, tourist attractions etc.

[Image 25,ABOVE]:Serpentine Pavillion by Sou Fujimoto being situated in Hyde Park.]

[Source: Convertini,D,Flickr]

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CASE STUDY TAKEAWAYS

Each of the case studies presents both pros and cons which will be highlighted in the following chapter. In the case of Toa Payoh, the main success would be the fulfilment of the “20-minute town”46 criteria due to the close proximity between neighborhood activity spaces. This case study also underscores opportunities for re-connections and activation of underutilized pockets of space, bringing about vitality and community engagement.

The planning parameters of Suzhou’s gardens and water city is in itself a space which caters to hedonic satiation, while the natural and engineered beauty provides an ambience for eudaimonic experiences. These journeys within the gardens encourage visitors to actively explore and contemplate; while the intimate scale47 of the canalbuilding-road systems offers users continual contact with street-level activities and meditative benefits.

However, these interventions are not replicable due to the historical, geographical and cultural contexts.

Since it was first designed to be a private garden used for entertainment and respite, pavilions were intended to fulfil social or individual functions which are insufficient in serving our modern “escapist” needs.

As modernization, integration with the new economy and technological developments change over time, the activities we partake in and their relevant “decompression” spaces will have to be reviewed.

The main learning point from London parks would be that there is no cookie-cutter approach to the creation

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and balancing of spaces which provide hedonistic, eudaimonic and wellness outcomes. Despite having a pre-determined function and program, the ways in which these spaces manifest in relation to existing buildings and structures would vary -without seeing compromises in quality. The sub-urban homogeneity, , urban density, socio-political climate and natural landscape of Singapore would automatically rule out interventions which calls for low rise establishments. Sparse densities and overtly decadent technology driven interventions.

The inappropriate selection of interventions would inadvertently lead to higher opportunity costs.

[Image 26,ABOVE]: Examples of empty plots which can be activated in the near future]

It is also worth noting that eudaimonic experiences are not limited to taking place within green areas; alternative sites for the cultivation of self-fulfillment can be recontextualised outside of nature and domestic contexts.

[Image 27,ABOVE]: The close proximity between the roads,buildings and canals presents opportunities for interactions and receiving healing properties offered by the water body.]

[Source: Heleni Porfyriou (elaborated by Paola Brunori)]

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05 URBAN SANCTUARIES

[Image 28, LEFT]: Intersections and overlaps between different users of the “urban sanctuaries”. How can these “urban sanctuaries” provide layers of qualitative aspects which contributes to the mental wellness, happpiness and health of the various stakeholders?]

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CHAPTER 5.1URBAN SANCTUARIES EXPLAINED

CHAPTER 5.2DESIGN STRATEGIES

As established in previous paragraphs, the move towards a “healthy and happy” population can be achieved through modifications to the built environment, requiring a concerted effort on the part of planners, designers, government agencies and users. Adopting a mindful and targeted approach towards the treatment and enhancement of existing and new interventions would permit the move beyond hedonic satiation, value-adding to rest and recreation in both direct and subtle forms.

The collages attached in this chapter demonstrate the essence of the project’s direction moving forward.

The concept of “urban sanctuaries” takes on different physical forms according to the needs of various user groups. Punctuating the urban fabric and striving to give the illusion of entering a new realm characterizes these sanctuaries as a literal step away from the banal activities of everyday life in hopes of giving visitors a sense of respite. Thematic ambiences also allow for target audiences to engage in both modern and traditional notions of activities which cater to stress relief, selfcultivation, interaction, isolation, recalibration etc. as these novelty programs vary in intensity and operate on a scale of options for indulgence in both the hedonistic and eudaimonic realm.

This definition of the sanctuary also strengthens the commentary on the common misconception surrounding the dichotomy of happiness which leads to the wrongful villainizing of hedonism outside of the spatial context.

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The design ideation phase delves deeper into ways in which a network of urban forms and its relevant programs can be used to address physical health, happiness and overall wellness - which can be achieved through the following measures listed below.

1. Implementing a choreographed journey within new townscapes while maintaining the merits of existing planning parameters.

2. Filling in missing gaps through the introduction of “urban sanctuaries” as a direct response to both shortterm satisfaction (hedonistic environments) and the 6 tenets of eudaimonic happiness - forming a network of enhanced site connectivity lined with engaging and meaningful programs.

3. Potential opportunities to work closely alongside residents for brainstorming new interventions and monitoring satisfaction levels.

Re-connecting and reimagining the potential of the landscape in developing positive experiences offer a fresh perspective to encourage future experimentation in town typology layouts.

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CHAPTER 5.3THE JOURNEY

My thesis journey begins with the exploration of various personas, understanding their associated needs and their daily journeys- allowing for the development of spatial forms to be informed by the key criteria of eudaimonic happiness while creating variation within Singapore’s largely homogeneous landscapes.

The generation of eudaimonic happiness, health and healing for different user groups while providing leeway for future adaptations would remain at the forefront of design consideration in the second phase of this project.

The following principles will be used to inform the stringing and pairing of urban sanctuaries in the neighborhood context: 1. Prioritizing and interpreting endaimonic needs of different users, with leeway for adaptations along the way.

2. Introducing intentional overlaps for user groups instead of strict assignment of urban sanctuaries to user group.

3.Balancing the need for both personal and communal spaces, with opportunities for direct and passive participation.

4. Potential for assigning goals to different persona groups, making individuals contribute and have greater autonomy over the extension of their immediate living spaces, while rewarding individuals for their “productive rest”.

[Image 29, LEFT]: Preliminary drawing depicting additions and modifications to old towns.]

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[Image 30, ABOVE]: Preliminary drawing and basic considerations depicting the themes and activities commonly associated with the different personas.]

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16 Merriam-Webster, “Definition of SALUTOGENESIS,” Merriam-webster.com, 2019, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ salutogenesis.

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2 Davina Tham. “Burnout, Not COVID-19 Restrictions, Most Affected Mental Health in Singapore during the Pandemic.” CNA, October 8, 2022. https://www.channelnewsasia. com/singapore/burnout-mental-health-workersemployees-pandemic-2972961.

3 Timothy Goh. “IMH Study Points to Likely Increase in Mental Health Issues in S’pore amid Covid-19.” The Straits Times, August 24, 2021. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/ imh-study-points-to-likely-increase-in-mentalhealth-issues-in-spore-amid-covid-19.

4 Singapore Business Review. “Singapore Has the Unhappiest Workforce in the World: Study,” 2021. https://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/in-focus/ singapore-has-unhappiest-workforce-in-worldstudy.

5 Nabilah Awang. “Singaporeans Are Leading Healthier Lives but Experiencing More Mental Health Problems: Survey.” TODAY, July 5, 2021. https://Www. todayonline.com/Singapore/Singaporeans-LeadingHealthier-Lives-But-Experiencing-More-MentalHealth-Problems-Survey?Cid=Internal_inarticlelinks_ web_13082022_tdy..

6 COVID-19 Mental Wellness Taskforce. “COVID-19 Mental Wellness Taskforce Report.” Ministry of Health, September 5, 2021. https://www. moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/covid-19report/comwt-report.pdf#:~:text=Based%20 on%20an%20Institute%20of.

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7 COVID-19 Mental Wellness Taskforce. “COVID-19 Mental Wellness Taskforce Report.”

8 Daniel Teo. “Singapore the ‘Least Positive’ Country in the World: Survey.” sg.news.yahoo. com, December 20, 2012. https://sg.news. yahoo.com/singapore-%E2%80%98leastpositive%E2%80%99-country-in-the-world-survey-072026104.html.

9 Jia Wang et al., “Confucian Values and the Implications for International HRD,” Human Resource Development International 8, no. 3 (September 2005): 311–26, https://doi.org/10.1080/13678860500143285.

17 Jenny Roe and Layla McCay, Restorative Cities (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2021), https://doi. org/10.5040/9781350112919.

18 Jenny Roe and Layla McCay, Restorative Cities 19 Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan, “Hedonia, Eudaimonia, and Well-Being: An Introduction,” Journal of Happiness Studies 9, no. 1 (November 18, 2008): 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-006-9018-1.

20 Dan Weijers, “Hedonism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy,” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d., https://iep.utm.edu/hedonism/.

10 Lazar Stankov, “Unforgiving Confucian Culture: A Breeding Ground for High Academic Achievement, Test Anxiety and Self-Doubt?,” Learning and Individual Differences 20, no. 6 (December 2010): 555–63, https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2010.05.003.

21 Carol D. Ryff and Burton H. Singer, “Know Thyself and Become What You Are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being,” Journal of Happiness Studies 9, no. 1 (October 5, 2008): 13–39, https://doi. org/10.1007/s10902-006-9019-0.

11 Yan Sun et al., “Perception of Stigma and Its Associated Factors among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Survey from an Asian Population,” Frontiers in Psychiatry 10 (May 15, 2019), https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00321.

22 Maxime Taquet et al., “Hedonism and the Choice of Everyday Activities,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113, no. 35 (August 15, 2016): 9769–73, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1519998113.

12 Eunsoo Choi, Yulia Chentsova-Dutton, and W. Gerrod Parrott, “The Effectiveness of Somatization in Communicating Distress in Korean and American Cultural Contexts,” Frontiers in Psychology 7 (March 23, 2016), https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00383.

13 Autor: Sabah A Abdul-Wahab and Springerlink (Online Service, Sick Building Syndrome : In Public Buildings and Workplaces (Editorial: Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2011).

14 Mary Ann Hoffman and Jeanine M Drisccoll, “APA PsycNet,” psycnet.apa.org, 2000, https://psycnet.apa. org/record/2001-01878-017.

15 Charles Spence, “Senses of Place: Architectural Design for the Multisensory Mind,” Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications 5, no. 1 (September 18, 2020), https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235020-00243-4.

26 Andrea Michelli. “Cities Increase Your Risk of Depression, Anxiety and Psychosis – but Bring Mental Health Benefits Too | Feature from King’s College London.” www.kcl.ac.uk, December 18, 2019. https:// www.kcl.ac.uk/cities-increase-your-risk-of-depressionanxiety-and-psychosis-but-bring-mental-healthbenefits-too.

27 The Present. “Are Big Cities Bad for Our Mental Health?” Big Think, December 4, 2021. https:// bigthink.com/the-present/metropolis-mentallife-georg-simmel-cities/.

28 “Singapore Urbanization - Demographics,” www. indexmundi.com, n.d., https://www.indexmundi.com/ singapore/urbanization.html#:~:text=rate%20of%20 urbanization%3A%200.74%25%20annual.

29 Andrea Michelli. “Cities Increase Your Risk of Depression, Anxiety and Psychosis – but Bring Mental Health Benefits Too | Feature from King’s College London.”

30 Mignon Duffy, “Doing the Dirty Work: Gender, Race, and Reproductive Labor in Historical Perspective,” Gender and Society 21, no. 3 (2007): 313–36, https://www.jstor.org/stable/27640972.

23 “Environments for Happiness: An Overview,” worldhappiness.report, 2020, https://worldhappiness. report/ed/2020/environments-for-happiness-anoverview/.

31 Yijing Xiao et al., “Impacts of Working from Home during COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Well-Being of Office Workstation Users,” Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine 63, no. 3 (November 23, 2021): 181–90, https://doi.org/10.1097/ jom.0000000000002097.

24 Hermes Auto. “More Firms in Singapore Set to Cut Office Space in Coming Months amid Covid-19 | the Straits Times.” www.straitstimes.com, July 4, 2021. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/ property/more-singapore-firms-set-to-cutoffice-space-in-coming-months-amid-covid-19.

32 “Digital Transformation and the Workforce of the Future - KPMG Singapore,” KPMG, September 18, 2020, https://home.kpmg/sg/en/home/insights/2020/09/ digital-transformation-and-the-workforce-of-the-future. html.

25 G. Goldstein. “Urbanization, Health and Well-Being: A Global Perspective.” The Statistician 39, no. 2 (1990): 121. https://doi. org/10.2307/2348533.

33 “Singapore’s New Economy 2030: What Industries and Jobs Could Arise?,” MyCareersFuture, March 10, 2022, https://content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/whatsingapores-new-economy-2030-plan-what-industriesjobs-arise/.

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34 “Designing for Life - Housing & Development Board (HDB),” www.hdb.gov.sg, March 2021, https:// www.hdb.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-publications/ publications/dwellings/Designing-for-Life.

35 “Designing for Life - Housing & Development Board (HDB),” www.hdb.gov.sg’ 36 Emma Wood et al., “Not All Green Space Is Created Equal: Biodiversity Predicts Psychological Restorative Benefits from Urban Green Space,” Frontiers in Psychology 9 (November 27, 2018), https://doi. org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02320.

37 “Evolution of Public Housing in Singapore,” www. gov.sg, June 9, 2020, https://www.gov.sg/article/ evolution-of-public-housing-in-singapore.

38 UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Classical Gardens of Suzhou,” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, n.d., https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/813/.

39 “What Are the Happiest Cities in China?” China Expat, 2015. https://www.echinacities.com/china-news/ Shanghai-1-Beijing-7-What-Are-the-Happiest-Citiesin-China.

44 “Parks and Green Spaces,” London City Hall, March 16, 2015, https://www.london.gov.uk/ what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-andbiodiversity/parks-and-green-spaces#:~:text=With%20 3%2C000%20parks%20of%20varying.

Biblography

45 “New Figures Reveal £91billion Value of London’s Parks and Green Spaces | the National Lottery Heritage Fund,” www.heritagefund.org.uk, November 22, 2017, https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/new-figuresreveal-ps91billion-value-londons-parks-and-greenspaces#:~:text=London.

46 ybaharuddin, “20-Minute Towns - Asia Pacific,” ULI Singapore, March 10, 2021, https://singapore.uli. org/20-minute-towns/.

47 Heleni Porfyriou, “Urban Heritage Conservation of China’s Historic Water Towns and the Role of Professor Ruan Yisan: Nanxun, Tongli, and Wuzhen,” Heritage 2, no. 3 (August 13, 2019): 2417–43, https://doi. org/10.3390/heritage2030149.

Lynn Chiang. “Stretched Thin – Understanding

Uslu, Aysel, and Nasim Shakouri. “Urban Landscape

Caregiving Stress | the SOS Blog.” www.sos.org.sg,

Design and Biodiversity.” IntechOpen. IntechOpen,

June 2020. https://www.sos.org.sg/blog/stretched-thin-

July 1, 2013. https://www.intechopen.com/

understanding-caregiving-stress.

chapters/45423.

Irene T. Ho and Kit-Tai Hau, “Consequences of the Confucian Culture: High Achievement but Negative Psychological Attributes?,” Learning and Individual Differences 20, no. 6 (December 2010): 571–73, https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2010.08.006.

“Sensory Design: Architecture for a Full Spectrum of Senses,” ArchDaily, October 7, 2021, https://www. archdaily.com/969493/sensory-design-architecture-fora-full-spectrum-of-senses.

Tony Lombrado. “Urban Regeneration - It’s Still about Creating Places Where People Want to Be.” www. lendlease.com, April 10, 2017. https://www.lendlease.

40 Xindi Zhang et al., “Waterscapes for Promoting Mental Health in the General Population,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 22 (November 10, 2021): 11792, https://doi. org/10.3390/ijerph182211792.

41 Donia Zhang, “Classical Chinese Gardens: Landscapes for Self-Cultivation,” Contemporary Urban Affairs 2, no. 1 (August 8, 2017): 33–44, https://doi. org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.3654.

42 “Park Connectors Living Large in Small Spaces,” Centre for Liveable Cities Singapore, February 2, 2013, https://www.clc.gov.sg/docs/default-source/urbansolutions/urb-sol-iss-2-pdfs/case-study-singapore-parkconnectors.pdf.

43 “47 per Cent of London Is Green Space: Time for a National Park?,” The Independent, September 26, 2014, https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/ news/47-per-cent-of-london-is-green-space-is-it-timefor-our-capital-to-become-a-national-park-9756470. html.

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com/sg/better-places/20170410-urban-regenerationtony-lombardo/.

UDMH. “How the City Affects Mental Health.” Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health, 2019. https:// www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/how-the-cityaffects-mental-health.html.

“Singapore Population (2020) - Worldometer,” www.worldometers.info, n.d., https://www. worldometers.info/world-population/singaporepopulation/#:~:text=The%20population%20density%20 in%20Singapore.

Martin Heidegger, “Building Dwelling Thinking,” 2007, http://faculty.arch.utah.edu/miller/4270heidegger. pdf.

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Biblography LIST OF FIGURES Image 1 – iam,black and white of sad woman hug her knee and cry,photograph.Adobe. Accessed October,27,2022.https:// stock.adobe.com/sg/search/images?filters%5Bcontent_ type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_ type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_ type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_ type%3Avideo%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_ type%3Atemplate%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_ type%3A3d%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_ type%3Aaudio%5D=0&filters%5Binclude_ stock_enterprise%5D=0&filters%5Bis_ editorial%5D=0&filters%5Bfree_ collection%5D=0&filters%5Bcontent_ Image 6 – jenny Roe and Layla McCay, The seven pillars of restorative cities,2021,Restorative cities: Urban Design for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Accessed October 28,2022.https:// www.oecd-forum.org/posts/restorative-cities-urban-designfor-mental-health-and-social-interaction-in-the-covid-era Image 18 – Szekely, P, Suzhou China,2006, photograph. Flickr. Accessed October 28, 2022. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ pedrosz/36920337360/in/photostream/

cropped,2022,photograph.National Parks. Accessed October 27,2022.https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-andnature/park-connector-network Image 23 – Park connectors living large in small spaces,Roadside Park connector. Accessed October,27,2022.https://www.clc.gov. sg/docs/default-source/urban-solutions/urb-sol-iss-2-pdfs/ case-study-singapore-park-connectors.pdf%20 Image 24 – Convetini,D, Hyde Park,London,England, 2013,photograph.

Flickr. Accessed October,27,2022.https://www.flickr.com/ photos/con4tini/10759146324/in/photostream/ Image 25 – Convertini, D, Hyde Park,London,England,2013,photograph.

Flickr. Accessed October,27,2022.https://www.flickr.com/ photos/con4tini/10776301746/in/photostream/ Image 27 – Heleni Porfyriou,Diagram illustrating the different patterns of the street–building–canal interrelationship structuring the urban form of the water towns south of the Yangtze river,2019. Accessed October,27,2022. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/900e/ e844adbc9de67c2e83442a3f28bc2e54f3ca.pdf

APPENDICES

Image 19 – Map of Soochow for Travelers,1931,Wikipedia commons.

Accessed October 28,2022.https://commons.wikimedia. org/w/index.php?title=File:1931_WenYi_Map_of_ SooChow_or_Suzhou,_China_-_Geographicus_-_SooChowwenyi-1931.jpg&oldid=601456212 Image 20 – Andrew & Annemarie,Humble Administrator’s Garden,Suzhou,2014,photograph. Flickr. Accessed October 27,2022.https://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew_ annemarie/14488434593/in/photostream/ Image 21 – linresearch, Study on the Humble Administrator’s Garden, 2015,drawing. Accessed October,27,2022.https:// linsresearch.mystrikingly.com/blog/study-on-the-humbleadministrator-s-garden Image 22Recreational connectivity,PCN bridge_

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[Image 1: When an individual’s BPS needs are accounted for, it can be assumed that they are in a “stable”, generally ‘well” state.

Interactions between many “satiated” individuals can facilitate the creation of healthier, positive relationships. These networks of individuals inhabit the environment (neighbourhoods/ towns).A community that have their needs satisfied can collectively focus on larger scale goals, such as improving the environment or creating an environment that is a reflection of its inhabitants.]

[Image 3: Punggol case study; used to compare and study the difference between Singapore’s old and new town planning. In the case [Image 2: Figure ground map of Toa Payoh.]

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of Punggol, the amenities are a lot more dispersed and the neighbourhoods ane a lot less walkable.]

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[Image 4: Singapore’s Land Trandport Master Plan 2040. Allowing us to get a better understanding of the different aspects of development in the domain of accessibility and their impact on convenience and health.]

[Image source:Land Transport Authoprity, Land Transport Masterplan 2040, accessed October 28,2022, https://www.lta.gov.sg/

[Image 5: Framework which shows the different levels of considerations for site selection, in order to shortlist areas which have

content/ltagov/en/who_we_are/our_work/land_transport_master_plan_2040.html]

features which are best able to demonstrate the intentions of the intervention.]

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Self-Disclosure of Research I certify that except where due acknowledgment has been made, the work is that of the author alone; the work has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for any other academic award; the content of the project is the result of work which has been carried out since the official commencement date of the approved research program, any editorial work, paid or unpaid carried out by a third party is acknowledged, ethics procedures and guidelines have been followed.

Intellectual Property Rights are retained by Yap Pei Li, Beverly, who asserts moral rights and all other rights to be identified as the author of this work. I have acknowledged all copyright holders on the images and other references used.

H3 2022 Productive Landscapes Assoc.Prof Tan Teck Kiam Master of Architecture Programme AY2022/2023 Department of Architecture College of Design and Engineering

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