Author Information
Lakshmi Manohar, National Institute of Technology Calicut, IndiaChithra Kurukkanari, National Institute of Technology Calicut, India
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of urban design elements on psychological and cognitive states using neuroscience-based metrics. Participants were immersed in 360-degree VR simulations of diverse urban environments, featuring variations in scale, street width, green spaces, urban form, edges, "eyes on the street", lighting, colour, land use, accessibility, and building density. Neural responses from EEG (electroencephalogram) measurements were recorded using an Emotiv Insight EEG device, quantifying emotional states through frequency bands. Results revealed distinct impacts of urban design elements on psychological comfort and cognitive performance. Green spaces and accessible layouts promoted relaxation and engagement, while dense environments with limited lighting increased stress. Narrow streets with active edges enhanced safety perceptions, whereas poorly lit areas caused discomfort. Age and gender differences were observed in responses to various environments. The findings led to a comprehensive evaluation framework, providing urban planners with evidence-based insights for designing inclusive, productive, and well-being-oriented public spaces. This research highlights the potential of integrating neuroscience into urban design, particularly for diverse and rapidly urbanising regions like India. This study's innovative approach combines virtual reality technology with neuroscientific measurements to offer a nuanced understanding of how urban environments affect human experience. These insights can inform future urban planning strategies, potentially improving the quality of life of city dwellers by creating more psychologically supportive and cognitively stimulating urban spaces.
Paper Information
Conference: ACSS2025Stream: Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences
This paper is part of the ACSS2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Manohar L., & Kurukkanari C. (2025) EEG-Based Assessment of Psychological Comfort in Urban Spaces: Impacts on Psychological and Cognitive States Using Virtual Reality Simulations ISSN: 2186-2303 – The Asian Conference on the Social Sciences 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 253-263) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2025.21
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2025.21
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