The conditional effects of Polycentricity, sprawl and compactness on subjective well-being: A systematic review

With over two-thirds of the global population expected to live in urban areas by 2050, understanding how urban and regional spatial structures shape Subjective Well-being (SWB) has become a central concern in planning research and policy. However, empirical evidence on spatial patterns—such as urban compactness, sprawl, and regional polycentricity—remains fragmented and often inconsistent. This study undertakes a systematic review of the Scopus database for the period 2000–2025. After applying rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven empirical studies were retained for final synthesis. The review finds that no spatial pattern is inherently beneficial or detrimental to well-being or mental health. Compact urban form can enhance life satisfaction by promoting social interaction and reducing travel time, but low-quality density is frequently associated with stress and poor mental health outcomes. While sprawl may provide access to nature and tranquillity, it often increases car dependency, commuting times, and subsequent spatial inequality. Polycentricity emerges as an intermediate regional configuration whose effectiveness depends on integrated transport infrastructure and equitable service provision. Overall, the effects of spatial structure on SWB are highly conditional and mediated by functional factors such as environmental quality, labour market dynamics (access to jobs and education), housing conditions, and social capital. The review identifies the paucity of longitudinal research as a major limitation, calling for stronger causal investigation in future planning studies.