Beyond building houses: It's time to design cities for well-being

In a world increasingly shaped by rapid urbanisation, the true measure of a city’s success is no longer just economic growth or architectural marvels. It is how well it supports human well-being.

The global movement towards sustainable cities has largely focused on decarbonisation, renewable energy, and eco-friendly infrastructure. However, sustainability cannot be siloed from the human experience. It must be synonymous with quality of life: mental, physical, and social.

Anxious cities

In a list of the world’s most anxiety-inducing destinations, cities from both west and east were included (none from the Arab region made it to the list). Overcrowded and overwhelming were some of the words that people used to describe some of the world’s greatest cities, such as Tokyo, New York, London, Paris and Shanghai.

It’s clear that mental health for city dwellers extends far beyond individual biology or personal circumstances, it is woven into the physical fabric of city life itself. The streets we walk, the buildings we inhabit, and the spaces where we gather all contribute to our psychological landscape in ways that are both subtle and significant.

As more people migrate to cities worldwide, urban planning has evolved from a technical discipline into a critical component of public health policy. Depression, which now ranks among the world’s most pressing health crises, cannot be addressed through clinical treatment alone. Cities, where millions of people live, work, and form relationships, exert a continuous influence on mental wellbeing that often goes unrecognised.

Research increasingly demonstrates that urban design carries profound psychological implications. The layout of neighbourhoods, the availability of green spaces, the quality of housing, and the accessibility of community resources all contribute to whether residents experience isolation or connection, stress or calm, despair or hope. Cities are not merely backdrops to human experience but they actively shape our emotional lives and our capacity for resilience.

Research has long shown that access to green spaces reduces stress, enhances cognitive function, and fosters a sense of community. According to the World Economic Forum, urban design directly impacts mental health: from how walkable a neighborhood is to the proximity of nature and social gathering spaces. Meanwhile, studies have found that people living in sustainable, nature-integrated environments are more likely to report higher life satisfaction and lower anxiety.

This understanding demands a fundamental shift in how we approach urban development, recognizing that every planning decision is simultaneously a mental health intervention.

Yousif Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Chief Real Estate Officer of Shurooq.

A people-first approach

By 2030, the UAE Green Agenda aims to increase the UAE’s GDP by 4-5 per cent, increase its exports by about Dh24 to 25 billion and reduce the country’s emissions to less than 100 kilowatt-hours. As we work towards achieving these goals, the conversation around sustainability must evolve to take well-being into account. After all it is not a by-product of sustainability, but its very purpose.

At Sharjah Sustainable City, we embedded this people-first ethos into our urban fabric. From the outset, we reimagined the city not just as a collection of buildings, but as a living, breathing ecosystem designed to nurture well-being at every level.

Our neighbourhoods are walkable by design, reducing dependence on cars and encouraging physical activity. Biodomes and community farms reconnect residents with nature and food sources, fostering both ecological awareness and mental tranquility. Public parks and communal spaces are integral to how our communities thrive. And by integrating smart technologies that monitor energy efficiency and environmental health, we ensure that sustainability and comfort are never at odds.

Crucially, well-being also means fostering meaningful human connection. Mixed-use spaces, collaborative initiatives, and inclusive urban planning foster a sense of belonging — a quality that far too many global cities are struggling to hold onto in an age of digital isolation.

As cities across the world grapple with the dual pressures of population growth and climate anxiety, especially among younger generations, urban planning must become a tool for healing, and not just housing. The future of real estate lies not in building higher, but in building better: where the air is cleaner, the communities are stronger, and the people are genuinely happier.

The path forward is clear. The cities we build must care for the planet and equally, they must care for the people who call them home.

The writer is Chief Real Estate Officer, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).