As India’s cities expand and evolve, they have become both the backdrop and the catalyst for our mental and physical well-being. Yet, the health of urban dwellers is under increasing strain. Escalating rates of stress, anxiety, and depression—alongside rising physical conditions such as hypertension and asthma—signal that our urban environments are not just shaping how we live, but how we feel.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, it is crucial to expand our understanding of mental health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), health is not merely the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. In the context of Indian cities, this definition calls for a reimagining of how we design and access urban spaces.

Today, many Indian cities present significant barriers to health, including crowded streets, unsafe pedestrian infrastructure, poor air quality, noise pollution, and limited access to green spaces. These stressors are part of the daily reality for millions of citizens. A survey by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) found that over 14 per cent of India’s population lives with some form of mental illness, with urban youth particularly vulnerable¹. India’s ranking of 145 out of 195 countries in healthcare access and quality² further underscores the scale of disparity.

One way to address this is for Indian cities to adopt a dual strategy that integrates inclusive urban design with universal accessibility, not just as an afterthought, but as a core principle of development.

Designing for Mental Wellness

Urban design—how we shape streets, parks, public buildings, and transport networks—directly influences how people interact, move, rest, and connect. When thoughtfully executed, urban design can address some of the stressors that contribute to poor mental health.

Globally, cities such as Copenhagen and Singapore provide evidence of design-led health improvement. Copenhagen prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, reducing pollution and encouraging active lifestyles for improved mental wellbeing, while Singapore seamlessly integrates greenery into urban life, reducing stress and improving mood. In India, cities such as Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Bengaluru have begun implementing walkability and cycling initiatives that not only improve mobility but also foster community connection and outdoor activity, thereby enhancing the quality of social and emotional support. But good design alone is insufficient. Without universal accessibility, the benefits of urban design remain limited to a privileged few.

Accessibility Promotes Equity

For marginalised groups, the lack of accessible infrastructure can profoundly affect mental well-being. Barriers to mobility and participation often lead to exclusion, invisibility, and chronic stress. An elderly person avoiding healthcare due to inaccessible clinics or a low-income commuter navigating disjointed transit systems may face anxiety and isolation daily.

Universal accessibility is fundamental to building inclusive, mentally healthy cities. While often associated with persons with disabilities, who comprise 15 per cent of the global population (WHO), its importance extends further. The World Bank estimates that 40 per cent of people need accessible infrastructure at some point in their lives. Well-designed environments benefit 85 per cent of the population and increase comfort for all³.

Features such as step-free access, tactile paving, shaded resting areas, accessible toilets, and inclusive transport should be standard, not optional. They promote dignity, autonomy, and a sense of belonging. When accessibility is embedded from the start, cities become more just, liveable, and supportive of mental health. It signals a shift from mere compliance to a culture of care, where everyone, especially those most often excluded, can fully participate in urban life.

The SIMPLE Framework: Strategies for Inclusive, Healthy Cities

Indian cities can adopt a ‘SIMPLE’ approach to guide urban planning that enhances mental health through inclusive and accessible design:

1. Safe and Social Public Spaces

Create well-lit, multi-use spaces that encourage people to rest, play, and connect. Seating areas, shaded walkways, public chess tables, clear sightlines, and inclusive playgrounds promote everyday social interaction.

2. Inclusive Design

Mandate inclusive design and universal accessibility in all public infrastructure. This includes ramps, clear signage, accessible restrooms, adequate seating, and trained staff in public-facing institutions. Universal accessibility promotes comfort, supports intuitive actions and complements safety in built spaces.

3. Mainstreaming Urban Greenery

Design urban spaces with accessible green infrastructure. Beyond large parks, incorporate trees along streets, green rooftops, pocket gardens and tot lots, and views of nature from workplaces and homes. Regular exposure to greenery, when well-maintained, has been shown to lower anxiety and improve cognitive function⁴.

4. Promotion of Active Transport

Build cities that prioritise walking and cycling over motorised transport. Ensure shaded walkways, protected bike lanes, longer crossing times at intersections, and secure bike parking. Mixed-use neighbourhoods can reduce reliance on vehicles while encouraging walking, which supports both physical and mental well-being.

5. Limiting Noise and Air Pollution

Reduce exposure to harmful pollutants through effective traffic management, green buffers, and intelligent airflow design in densely populated areas. Tree species such as Ficus and Indica have been effective in trapping particulate matter. Low-emission zones and rerouted freight traffic can significantly enhance urban air quality.

6. Engaging Communities

Planning must involve those who use the city most. Women, the elderly, low-income residents, and persons with disabilities offer vital lived insights that make interventions more effective and grounded. Participation builds ownership and relevance.

Cities That Heal: Actionising the SIMPLE framework

Cities around the world are reimagining urban life through inclusive, health-oriented design. Barcelona’s ‘superblocks’ exemplify this shift—by limiting vehicular traffic and prioritising pedestrians and cyclists, these zones foster quieter, more communal, and mentally restorative neighbourhoods. Closer to home, Delhi’s Metro Rail (MRTS) system illustrates how incorporating accessibility features, such as tactile paving, audio announcements, and step-free access, can make mass transit more inclusive without requiring extensive capital, but through a deliberate shift in design thinking. Similarly, tree-lined avenues and thoughtfully maintained green spaces extend beyond visual appeal; they actively support mental and physical health by reducing stress, promoting physical activity, and facilitating spontaneous social interactions. In Tokyo, Japan, the integration of micro-parks, green roofs, and shaded boulevards has been linked to decreased depression rates and improved cardiovascular outcomes⁵. These examples underscore a critical truth: physical transformations in the urban environment, when rooted in inclusive design, can measurably enhance mental well-being and social equity. Many changes are low-cost and can be implemented incrementally through informed design, strong governance, and sustained community involvement.

As we reflect during Mental Health Awareness Month, it is time to shift the conversation. Health is not just a medical concern—it is profoundly urban. The cities we build determine not just how we live, but how well we live. Mental well-being should not be siloed into clinics or awareness campaigns—it should be embedded in our sidewalks, parks, benches, transit stops, and housing.

The message is clear: the blueprint of a city is also the blueprint of its citizens’ health. To build healthier Indian cities, we must reject the false trade-offs between aesthetics and equity, as well as between growth and inclusion. A well-designed and accessible city is not a luxury—it is a necessity for a just, resilient, and prosperous society.

Let us build cities that not only house us but also truly heal us.

¹Department of Health and Family Welfare, MoHFW. (2025, February). Advancing mental healthcare in India. Government of India.---https://mohfw.gov.in/?q=pressrelease-206#:~:text=Prevalence:%20The%20National%20Mental%20Health%20Survey%20(NMHS),population%20experiences%20mental%20health%20issues%20requiring%20intervention

²The Lancet. (2018). Measuring performance on the Healthcare Access and Quality Index for 195 countries and territories and selected subnational locations: A systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet.---https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2818%2930994-2

³World Bank. (2022). The narrative: Technical note on accessibility.---https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/2c15b0291da3107e5a324e8d261c674b-0320012022/original/WBG-TECHNICAL-NOTE-PART-1.pdf

⁴UD/MH. (2025). How urban design can impact mental health.---https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/how-urban-design-can-impact-mental-health.html

⁵C40 Cities. (2015, March). Nature Conservation Ordinance is greening Tokyo’s buildings.---https://www.c40.org/case-studies/nature-conservation-ordinance-is-greening-tokyo-s-buildings/#:~:text=Since%202000%2C%20the%20City%20of,the%20surface%20temperature%20of%20buildings