Indian Knowledge Systems and biophilic urbanism: research strategies for empirical assessment of health-promoting built environments

Source abstract

Rapid urbanisation across the Global South has increased interest in nature-integrated urban design. While biophilic urbanism offers important pathways for reconnecting people with nature, its application often remains insufficiently contextualised within local ecological and cultural settings. In this think-piece, we reflect on the convergence between Indian Knowledge Systems and biophilic urbanism, exploring opportunities for context-sensitive empirical assessment of the health implications of built environments informed by Indian Knowledge Systems. We propose interdisciplinary research strategies that integrate environmental monitoring, microbiota profiling, neurophysiological assessments, and immersive simulations to inform resilient, culturally responsive urban planning aligned with SDG 3, SDG 11, and SDG 17.