Stress and Built Environments: Assessing Architectural and Urban Impacts

Considering the intricate relationship between the built environment and users’ mental well-being, the present study aims to evaluate how architectural and urban spaces significantly influence stress levels of residents. In this regard, the neighbourhood of Aydogdu in the city of Konya, where traditional and modern lifestyles are in conflict and certain urban problems are beginning to emerge, was chosen as a case study. Data were collected by using the questionnaire on environmental factors causing stress in the neighborhood and Dass’ Standard Questionnaire for measuring stress. Data analysis was performed through using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the results showed that there is a significant relationship between environmental factors and the occurrence of stress in the neighborhood. Accordingly, the factor of environmental qualities has the greatest impact, and the climatic factors have the least relationship with the stress of citizens. The results of regression analysis showed that environmental qualities, visual elements, and regulation of environmental conditions predicted 67% of citizens’ stress. The analysis of variance also indicated that young people aged 18 to 46 years are more influenced by the factors in which environmental stressors are found.