Wellbeing and Environment
Our wellbeing research focuses on the development and design of innovative multidisciplinary research methodologies; projects focus on experiential explorations of physical interaction with everyday environments.
The specific focus draws on the experience of the research team to explore connections between individuals, communities and the environment which are profound, but not necessarily obvious to the professional or always implicit to the individual. These can be revealed by developing spoken or visual narratives made more insightful through shared understanding, developing and improving experiences of wellbeing.
Research interests
Our interests include, but are not restricted to:
- Exploration of the importance of the narrative and the use of language within a user-based approach;
- Developing narratives as a performative act to stimulate and engender memory, creating memory loops and positive feedback;
- Application of new techniques to the co-design of community and associated research agendas;
- Developing understandings of how individuals and communities interact with the urban and natural environment and in particular, how to design and manage environments that support individuals and contribute to their unique identities, underpinning the achievement of high levels of well being;
- Applying specialist expertise to deliver processes of knowledge exchange by applying methodologies which give power and voice to the individual and their communities;
- The role of physical engagement and activity in fostering well-being and a sense of worth.
Recent projects
Recent projects include:
Hidden Connections and Environmental Flows - how local environmental interaction induces individual and community positivity in urban locations (AHRC funded)
More than human communities exploring community connections through other environmental metaphors (AHRC funded)
Exploring Well-being Parameters on the Housing Estate of Castle Vale (EPSRC funded)
Cultural Engagement Fund The embedding well-being Interventions at the National Memorial Arboretum (AHRC funded)
Well-being 2011: International Exploring the Multi-dimensions of Well-being
Well-being 2013: Second International conference - Designs on Well-being
Well-being 2016: Third International Conference - Co-creating Pathways to Well-being.
Contact
Other researchers
Emeritus Professor Richard Coles
Dr Jieling Xiao
Russell Good
Research students
We have a vibrant team of research students drawn from a range of disciplines and welcome doctoral student enquiries which explore the diverse themes related to the group’s research profile.
Key publications
Coles, R., Costa, S. & Watson, S. (eds), (2018). Pathways to Well-being in Design. Examples from the arts, humanities and the built environment. Routledge
Costa, S., & Coles, R. (2018). The self-narrated walk. A user-led method to research people’s experiences in urban landscapes. Landscape Research, pp. 1–15.
Coles, R. & Costa, S. (guest editors), (2018). Food growing in the city. Special Issue. Landscape and Urban Planning. Vol. 170, February 2018.
Coles, R. & Costa, S., (2018). Food growing in the city: Exploring the productive urban landscape as a new paradigm for inclusive approaches to the design and planning of future urban open spaces. Landscape and Urban Planning, 170, pp.1–5
Xiao, J; Tait, M; Kang, J; (2018) A perceptual model of pleasantness. Cities, 76 pp. 105-115.
Cabral, I., Costa, S., Weiland U. and Bonn, A. (2017). Urban gardens as multi-functional nature-based solutions for societal goals in a changing climate. In Kabisch, N., Bonn, A. and Stadler, J. and Korn H. (eds). Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change in Urban Areas - Linkages between Science, Policy, and Practice. Springer.
Xiao, J., Tait, M., & Kang, J., (2016). The design of urban with fragrant plants and water features. In Perkings C. et al. ed. Designing with Smell: Practices, Techniques and Challenges, Chapter 8, London: Routledge.
Xiao, J. and Aletta, F., (2016). A soundscape approach to exploring design strategies for acoustic comfort in modern public libraries: a case study of the Library of Birmingham. Noise Mapping, 3(1), pp.264-273.
Costa, S., Fox-Kaemper, R., Good, R. and Séntic, I., (2016). The Position of Urban Allotments Gardens within the Urban Fabric. In Bell, S. et al. (eds). Urban Allotment Gardens in Europe. Routledge, pp. 221-228.
Costa, S., Coles, R., and Boultwood, A., (2014). Walking Narratives: Interacting between Nature and Self. In Sörensen, C. and Liedtke, K. (eds) SPECIFICS: Discussing Landscape Architecture. Jovis, pp.40-43.
Coles, Richard and Millman, Zoe (2013) Landscape, Well-being and Environment. Routledge.