One of the key trends modern urban planning is the application of a sensory-based design approach as a means of addressing challenges arising from ongoing urbanization processes. Excessive building density within urban environments, combined with overall visual and acoustic overload, has a detrimental effect on the psychophysiological well-being of individuals. A direct consequence of such high-density development is the reduction of green spaces, which disrupts the natural sensory balance of the urban environment. The absence or deficiency of vegetation lowers the quality of spatial experience and sensory comfort, manifesting in increased levels of psychological tension, anxiety, depression, weakened immunity, and other destructive outcomes. These effects may subsequently influence behavioral responses, provoking irrational acts of vandalism, irritability, and emotional instability. In response to these conditions, it becomes essential to implement innovative design strategies that address not only functional requirements but also the sensory experience of the user — encompassing emotional perception of space, bodily and cognitive responses to the surrounding environment, and the potential of that environment to shape behavioral patterns. Given that the connection between humans and nature is a fundamental component of a healthy and comfortable living environment, interdisciplinary research bridging architecture and neuroscience is gaining critical relevance in examining the interrelation between spatial form, the human body, and brain activity. On this basis, the emerging field of neuroarchitecture has been identified, in which the integration of greenery into the structure of urban spaces is regarded as one of the key instruments for positively influencing human experience. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the presence of green areas improves residents’ emotional states, reduces stress levels, and enhances overall quality of life in urban contexts. This paper explores the mechanisms through which natural environments engage with the brain, triggering positive reflexive responses and elevating the general sense of well-being. These findings are supported by a review of both domestic and international case studies of multi-apartment residential developments that successfully incorporate natural elements into their spatial organization. As a result, a set of sensory harmonization principles is proposed, including visibility, variability, intensification, integration, scaling, and functional subordination. The conclusions drawn from this study have practical significance for rethinking residential space planning in Ukrainian cities amid ongoing urban transformations.
Anastasiia Mudra (Fri,) studied this question.