From Pixels to Parklands
Urban Design that Invites Back Into the Open
L. Peled (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
D. Adlakha – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
B. Hausleitner – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
This thesis explores the relationship between digital lifestyles, resident´s well-being, and the design of urban neighborhoods. In an increasingly “always-on” culture, daily life is often characterized by prolonged indoor time, reduced physical movement, and constant cognitive pressure. These conditions contribute not only to mental overload but also to a growing disconnection from the urban environment itself. The work argues that neighborhood-scale design can play a key role in counteracting these effects. By integrating stress-sensitive design principles, diverse green and blue spaces, and environments that encourage slow movement and everyday outdoor presence, urban space can actively support health, recovery, and overall well-being. Through theoretical research and design-based exploration, this thesis proposes the concept of a healthy neighborhood on Refshaleøen as a spatial framework that reconnects people with their surroundings, restores balance to daily routines, and enables moments of calm, strength, and resilience within the city.