Layla McCay explores a new way of designing cities, one which places mental health and wellness at the forefront.

Overcrowding, noise and air pollution, long commutes and lack of daylight can take a huge toll on the mental wellbeing of city-dwellers. The restrictions faced by city residents around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic has brought home just how much urban design can affect our mental health – and created an imperative to seize this opportunity. With mental healthcare services under increasing pressure, could a better approach to urban design and planning provide a solution?

McCay examines a range of strategies – from sensory architecture to place-making for creativity and community – that will appeal to designers and planners, health practitioners and researchers alike, as well as providing compelling insights for anyone who cares about how our surroundings affect us.

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Festival of the Future City: Layla McCay