From Research to Design: Enhancing Mental Well-Being Through Quality Public Green Spaces in Beirut

Mariam Raad, Georgio Kallas, Falah Assadi, Nina Zeidan, Victoria Dawalibi and Alessio Russo ()
Additional contact information
Mariam Raad: Department of Landscape and Territory Planning, Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 6573, Lebanon
Georgio Kallas: Department of Landscape and Territory Planning, Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 6573, Lebanon
Falah Assadi: Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 6573, Lebanon
Nina Zeidan: Department of Landscape and Territory Planning, Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 6573, Lebanon
Victoria Dawalibi: Department of Landscape and Territory Planning, Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 6573, Lebanon
Alessio Russo: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-25

Abstract: The global rise in urban-related health issues poses significant challenges to public health, particularly in cities facing socio-economic crises. In Lebanon, 70% of the population is experiencing financial hardship, and healthcare costs have surged by 172%, exacerbating the strain on medical services. Given these conditions, improving the quality and accessibility of green spaces offers a promising avenue for alleviating mental health issues in urban areas. This study investigates the psychological impact of nine urban public spaces in Beirut through a comprehensive survey methodology, involving 297 participants (locals and tourists) who rated these spaces using Likert-scale measures. The findings reveal location-specific barriers, with Saanayeh Park rated highest in quality and Martyr’s Square rated lowest. The analysis identifies facility quality as the most significant factor influencing space quality, contributing 73.6% to the overall assessment, while activity factors have a lesser impact. The study further highlights a moderate positive association (Spearman’s rho = 0.30) between public space quality and mental well-being in Beirut. This study employs a hybrid methodology combining Research for Design (RfD) and Research Through Designing (RTD). Empirical data informed spatial strategies, while iterative design served as a tool for generating context-specific knowledge. Design enhancements—such as sensory plantings, shading systems, and social nodes—aim to improve well-being through better public space quality. The proposed interventions support mental health, life satisfaction, climate resilience, and urban inclusivity. The findings offer actionable insights for cities facing public health and spatial equity challenges in crisis contexts.

Keywords: public health; mental well-being; research through design; climate-resilient spaces; Beirut; Lebanon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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