Melissa Q.Lan Diep

Multi-Sensory Environments and Student Wellness on Urban Campuses: Co-designing an Inclusive Space at Butterfield Park to Help Support Student Mental Health

Post-secondary education can be an exciting and challenging period in a person’s life. Many students are entering a new environment with little experience in the different processes and systems within the educational community. Mental health is a major concern for students because of the various factors that can influence their achievements and failures during their academic career. Over the last century, urban communities have become increasingly detached from nature, which may have attributed to an increase in the development of mental health issues. This study aims to support student well-being and creative thinking by providing them with the opportunity to help redesign Butterfield Park to help promote mental well-being on urban campuses. The feedback from the expert and student interviews, as well as survey and co-design workshops helped to inform the creation of a multi-sensory master plan for Butterfield Park. The identified themes that arose from the data analysis was the need in documenting user needs, creating an inclusive environment and bridging the connection between human and nature interaction. The application of a Multi-Sensory Environment can be transferred to other post-secondary campuses, workplaces and in the greater urban and landscape design context to encourage healthy living and community support. http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/2461/