This project emerges as global urbanization trends intensify. Between 55 and 57 percent of the world's population lives in cities today, and the UN's program for housing and settlement issues indicates this proportion will increase. While research shows that spending time in nature boosts well-being and health, knowledge about how urban environments affect people remains poorer. According to Aftonbladet, Camilla Berggren-Tarrodi, an architect and project manager at Rise, described that there are parts of cities, streets, or areas that do not feel good.
The pilot project at Fridhemsgatan aims to address this gap by creating a living laboratory where architects, property owners, and brain researchers collaborate. Its purpose is to find out how changes in the urban environment affect those who move there. The section of Fridhemsgatan is considered a perfect place to study impacts of a chaotic urban environment, as inner-city buses, goods transport, school classes, and people heading for subway entrances are a constant presence there. According to Aftonbladet, Camilla Berggren-Tarrodi noted it is the first time, to her knowledge, that brain research is integrated into urban planning in Sweden.
It may seem obvious, but we need data to be able to show that it is true.
Planned transformations include turning the asphalt-dominated area at Fridhemsplan into a pocket park with a green path along the sidewalk, and cladding existing facades in natural materials like wood and earthy colors. The project's initiators believe that by demonstrating how environments affect stress levels, it will become easier to push these issues toward decision-makers and investors in urban planning. Advanced brain research is expected to provide urban planners with better knowledge about what in the environment causes stress or promotes well-being.
It is the first time, to my knowledge, that brain research is integrated into urban planning in Sweden.
Even if everyone is completely in agreement at the beginning, it is difficult to get values about the environment itself and the experience for those who will be there into the process.
There are parts of cities, streets, blocks, or just certain areas that do not feel good. Where one does not want to stay longer than necessary, but we want to get facts about why.
Economy will always be a driving factor. But if we can show that good design leads to better health and, in the long run, lower costs, then the soft values can become part of the economic logic.