NEUROURBANISM, ACTIVE AGING AND MENTAL HEALTH: CONTEMPORARY POSSIBILITIES FOR BUILDING SALUTOGENIC CITIES

The growth of urban areas has led to the construction of more cost-effective, environmentally impactful buildings. The concept of neurourbanism has emerged as a potential solution to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, given the rise in life expectancy, decline in fertility rates, and emergence of chronic diseases. This concept incorporates neuroscience into urban studies, acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of scientific knowledge. Neurourbanism studies how urban design affects human behavior and mental health. It assesses the effects of urban environments on human physiology across temporal scales. This study presents a discussion of the design criteria for a healthy city. (i) Urban-rural differences, (ii) social connections, (iii) sensory overload, (iv) spatial navigation, (v) presence of nature, (vi) salutogenic design. This literature review synthesizes knowledge from neuroscience, urban planning, and environmental gerontology to ascertain how urban projects can positively influence the active aging of contemporary cities. contemporary cities. It examines the role of the designer in promoting dignified and healthy aging and the creation of urban design propositions responsive to mental health and active aging in large cities. Of 1,670 articles, 52 were analyzed. Neurourbanism is an interdisciplinary field that bridges neuroscience, geography, public health, urban sociology, and city design. This study proposes an evidence-based plan for creating a healthier city. It aims to facilitate the implementation of neurourbanism and introduce new approaches to urban design that can improve the well-being of the current and future elderly population.