Impacts of imageability of architecture on brain health: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Imageability is a component of urban design and planning that has been recognized for its potential to enhance people’s perceptual and emotional engagement with their environment. Nevertheless, evidence supporting specific strategies and its mpacts on brain health is still unclear. This systematic review aimed to characterize and summarize the evidence on the importance of imageability of architecture for brain cognitive and psychological health.

This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Our keywords included imageability and architecture, environment, built environment, neuroarchitecture, aphantasia, urban design, memorability, visual recall, mental visualization, architectural features, façade, wayfinding, familiarity, vividness, cognition, expectations, green walls, biophilia, aesthetics, emotions, embodied cognition and embodiment. We searched electronic databases for studies showing the relationship among imageability, architecture, and neuroscience.

From the 5,270 identified articles, we included 56 original peer-reviewed articles. The findings suggest that environments with high imageability are correlated with better cognitive and psychological health, high emotional engagement, and enhanced social connectivity. In conclusion, studies have also highlighted that high-imageability environments enhance livability, promote wayfinding, and support physical activity. However, some gaps were identified, including the need for standardized methods to assess imageability and its impact on brain health by examining brain structures and functions with imaging studies. Imageability seems to play an important role in creating environments that promote cognitive and psychological health, physical activity and foster a sense of community belonging. Future research should focus on developing objective, replicable methods for evaluating imageability and exploring the neural paths that underlie its effects.