The Impact of Perceived Sustainable Design Characteristics on Enhancing Well-being in Residential Environments: An Empirical Study

Zainab Ibrahim Abass, College of Architectural Engineering, University of Technology - Iraq, Baghdad, IraqFollow

Keywords

Residential setting, Well-being, Perceived design characteristics, Housing, Sustainable design

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Creating a sustainable living environment is crucial to improving well-being and reducing stress among urban populations, particularly through architecture, urban planning, and public health research. The growing importance of environmental sustainability for human health is limited by current empirical research on the impact of sustainable housing on well-being, due to insufficient conceptualisation and assessment of the perceived attributes of the residential environment. This study aims to examine the potential impact of perceived sustainable design characteristics on well-being using both quantitative and qualitative indicators to establish criteria for examining residents' views on sustainability attributes. Data were collected from high-density housing areas via a random sampling technique. The findings suggest that residents who view their homes as environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient report improved overall well-being and greater comfort. Moreover, specific sustainable features, such as the presence and accessibility of green spaces, clean streets, safety, aesthetic quality, and indoor air quality, are associated with psychological and emotional benefits. This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between sustainable design characteristics and well-being and offers insights into enhancing residential quality of life.

Recommended Citation

Abass, Zainab Ibrahim (2026) "The Impact of Perceived Sustainable Design Characteristics on Enhancing Well-being in Residential Environments: An Empirical Study," Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning: Vol. 25: Iss. 2, Article 4.