Assessing Impact of Biophilic Design on Mental Health in Urban Environments: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies from Nigeria, Malaysia, China, the United States, and Italy

The rapid urbanization of the 21st century has transformed human habitats into dense, built environments that often prioritize efficiency over well-being. Now over 55%—about 4.4 billion people—of the global population resides in cities, a figure projected to rise to 68% by 2050 (World Bank, 2025; United Nations, 2018). While urbanization drives economic growth, it has also been linked to rising mental health challenges, including chronic stress, anxiety, and depression (World Health Organization, 2021). Studies attribute this trend to factors such as reduced access to nature, sensory overload from noise and pollution, and the isolating effects of high-density living (Bratman et al., 2019). In response, architects and designers are increasingly turning to biophilic design—a holistic approach that integrates natural elements into built spaces—as a potential remedy for these urban mental health issues.