According to a new publication by UO physicist Richard Taylor, urban environments do not please the human brain as much as nature. This is because the mind responds very favorably to fractals, which are far less prevalent in urban settings.

What does “responding well to nature over urban architecture” really mean for us? According to this study, it means viewing nature causes less stress and mental fatigue. It means patients with windows could heal faster and relax easier. Reclaiming cities to be less “boxy” and more natural would not only be healing, but it also would make financial sense. Stress costs the US economy $300 Billion each year.

Unfortunately, the solution may not be as simple as it seems. Our brains respond differently to fractals when they are embedded in simple surroundings, at least before the fractals have been modified. To help solve this problem, Taylor teamed up with UO psychologist Margaret Sereno and architect Ihab Elzeyadi to research and develop different ways of incorporating modified fractals into these spaces. Some of these concepts include fractal carpets, ceilings, window blinds, and solar panels.

To learn more about it, check out Emily Halnon’s article, "The human brain would rather look at nature than city streets" from Around the O.