The Place Effect: How Spaces Shape Our State of Mind
- UM Research
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
Introduction
Laborious physical efforts for progressive industrialisation and revolution often come at the expense of mental health.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2023, a cross-sectional study of the Malaysian population revealed that 21.1% of the population were troubled by mental health comorbidities, whereby 4.6% of the adult population experienced depressive symptoms and 16.5% of children aged 5 to 15 experienced a spectrum of mental health issues. On a global scale, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported approximately 970 million people (1 in 8) worldwide experiencing mental disorders.
The burden of disease lies in the debilitating nature of mental health diseases, resulting in functional impairment and disruption in one’s life. Henceforth, this signifies an imperative emphasis on multidisciplinary involvement in identifying and providing support, particularly among young adults, who face heightened pressures from academic pursuits and social dynamics.
The design and functionalities of urban spaces play a critical role in shaping mental health. For instance, green spaces, communal areas, and thoughtfully planned infrastructure foster social connection and a sense of belonging, whereas poorly designed environments may reflect isolation and a decreased quality of life. Typically, for young adults who spend significant time in academic or institutional settings, their mental health can be directly influenced by the emotional resonance of these spaces. From this perspective, the research team led by Dr Noor Hashimah Hashim Lim from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, introduces the project “The Place Effect: How Spaces Shape Our State of Mind,” which explores the spatial relationship between mental well-being and the environment.
How it Works
The pilot project based within the campus of Universiti Malaya explores the intersection between urban planning, public health, and digital technology. According to Dr Noor Hashimah, it was primarily developed to understand the mental well-being of the youth community by creating a digital platform to capture the human values associated with institutional spaces on campus. This enables the exploration of people-place attachment, ultimately promoting overall mental wellness. The variable of “place” was captured through a participatory virtual mapping exercise for data collection, where a Geographic Information System (GIS) rendering of the Universiti Malaya campus was displayed in a two-dimensional environment. The university's ecosystem services were categorised into various types of land-use zoning, including green areas, sports facilities, administrative areas, etc. Once the platform was ready for use, a workshop was developed to train youth facilitators as part of a capacity-building effort (Figure 1). They underwent training on its features, including data storage, troubleshooting, and retrieval functions. Additionally, they were instructed on effective strategies for engaging potential participants across the campus and systematically deriving responses.
The variable of “attachment” was then quantified through the participation of approximately 200 Universiti Malaya students, who were asked to identify and tag specific locations within the campus based on their emotional attachment to those places. The emotional values encompass a range of feelings, including fear, happiness, sadness, and spirituality, among others. Additionally, participants were asked to report their perceived level of mental well-being at the time of data collection.
Preliminary Findings
As research field tests and analyses are underway, Dr Noor Hashimah shared the preliminary identification of distinct patterns of emotional-spatial characteristics among youths from diverse demographic backgrounds. Three significant findings thus far:
A large majority of students are reportedly facing very low to low mental well-being.
Most students share a consensus on feeling an intense fear of the exam halls; and
The green areas cater to students' recreational, sports, and spiritual needs.
Acknowledging that the exam halls can create a feeling of fear among students, which may contribute to lower mental well-being, emphasising effective landscape designs around the exam halls to reduce stress and tension is highly recommended. Similarly, maintaining well-maintained green areas around the campus is deemed an essential stress-relief strategy that helps boost mental well-being.
By reflecting on the relationship between spatial characteristics, their functions about human needs, and the emotions they evoke in people, the study contributes to building the university’s capacity to integrate emotional values into community resilience planning that aligns with the UM Master Plan 2050. On a larger scale, more profound insights into these intangible aspects of urban spaces can help shape more responsive urban planning that addresses the emotional needs of future communities.
Conclusion
Ultimately, a conducive environment fuels the paradigm for sustainable progress and social development. As champions of this initiative, Dr Noor Hashimah aspires to undertake innovative approaches to urban planning that are responsive and inclusive, catering to the community's needs.
Researchers featured:
Dr Noor Hashimah Hashim Lim
Department of Urban and Regional Planning,
Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: +603-79677156
Author:
Ms Eng Pink Huey
Pink Huey is currently a fourth-year medical student at the Universiti Malaya. Outside clinical wards, her enthusiasm for writing and classical music drives her appreciation for the harmonious union of art and life. For a tinge of adrenaline, she enjoys hiking and chasing sunsets!
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Nurhazrin Zanzabir, Assistant Administrative Officer, UM
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