Go to Your Happy Place

Introduction

Meditation practices often say, "Go to your peaceful place". Visualizing different environments to see which one brings the most peace, you often find yourself imagining various types of settings, including a beach, a forest, a mountain top, etc.

Notice a common theme? They're largely in nature. What if your environment is urban or a combinatinon of urban and manicured nature? As it is for more than 55% of the world's population living in urban areas according to the UN, this is a significant consideration.

Hypothesis

Urban environments of the future will be designed to mimic aspects of the natural world, creating "happy places" that provide similar psychological and emotional benefits as traditional natural settings.

Reasoning

There is a philosophy called "organic architecture" and even a style called Platonic Naturalism. They are all failures up to this point.

Take a look at the examples linked in the "Examples" section of the linked Wikipedia article. Were it not defined and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, no one would even consider them. The linked Synagogue isn't architecture at all, it represents a simple rock and looks like a pile of dung!

Methods

A "happy place" can be effectively created in urban environments by incorporating elements of nature and thoughtful design, leading to similar or greater levels of peace and relaxation compared to traditional natural settings. The materials don't have to even use natural materials or look like things from nature, they just have to evoke the same feelings.

Key design elements to consider include:

• Incorporating natural elements such as water features, greenery, and natural light.
• Using organic shapes and forms in architecture and landscaping.
• Creating spaces that encourage mindfulness and relaxation, such as quiet zones or meditation areas.
• Utilizing colors and textures that evoke a sense of calm and tranquility.

Metrics

Measuring the effectiveness of urban "happy places" can be done through a combination of physiological and psychological assessments. Physiological measures could include heart rate variability, cortisol levels, and brainwave activity, while psychological assessments could involve self-reported stress levels, mood questionnaires, and qualitative feedback on the experience of the space.