Association of Built Environment with Well-Being: An Experience Sampling Method

Abstract Background Well-being (WB) is important because it extends beyond physical health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). From a temporal perspective, WB encompasses two aspects: long-term WB (LWB), such as overall life satisfaction, and momentary WB (MWB), such as immediate mood. While research has demonstrated a positive association between built environments such as urban land, grassland areas, and LWB, there is limited research exploring the association between the characteristics of built environments and MWB. Methods We applied the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) to collect data on the location, detailed environmental characteristics, and the MWB and LWB of adult participants living in Kashiwa City, Japan. Structural equation modeling was used to calculate the correlation coefficients between different built environments and both MWB and LWB. Results Nine hundred reports from 273 valid participants were obtained. In terms of types of locations, it was shown that cafes/restaurants/bars (coefficients = 0.85), culture/sport/education facilities (0.45), and public spaces (0.62) have a positive association with MWB. Additionally, environments perceived as natural (0.43), relaxing, and clean (2.31) have a positive association with MWB. Conversely, being on the move (-0.88) and vibrant environments (-0.58) have a negative association with MWB. Moreover, higher LWB levels were associated with higher MWB (0.64). Conclusions This study used the ESM to measure MWB and confirmed an association with various built environments. These findings provide guidance for city planning and policies that focus on enhancing urban well-being. This study highlights the benefits of places such as parks and cafes that promote happiness and the need for well-designed transportation and roads. These elements are important for developing urban areas that not only meet residents’ physical requirements but also support their emotional and psychological well-being. Key messages • Our findings show that public spaces, cafes, and cultural facilities are significantly associated with MWB, highlighting their role in urban planning as places that promote happiness. • ‘Being on the move’ is associated with lower MWB, indicating the need for well-designed transportation and road environments.