Enhancing Biophilia as a Restorative Design Approach in Egyptian Gardens

Abstract

The increasing challenges of enhancing public health for communities and managing stressful daily life style raised the call for finding new methods to reduce stress. The research problem is the lack of sufficient data investigating the impact of different characteristics and forms of gardens in terms of stress reduction and restoration benefits. Therefore, the aim of this study is identifying the restorative effects of biophilic design elements in Egyptian gardens. It investigates the main indicators for applying biophilic urbanism in different gardens and how to enhance it to achieve stress restoration for communities. The presented study followed a methodology that comprises three parts. First an integrative literature review for biophilic urbanism and biophilia application to achieve restorative design. Then identifying the likely relationship between biophilia and restorativeness. Finally, a case study research design approach for selected Egyptian gardens which are analysed in reference to concluded relationship and perceived restorativenss. The work points out the potential and effective incorporation of applying biophilic principles in Egypt to achieve stress restoration.