Biophilic Integration and Psychological Well-being in Smart City Governance: A Case Study of the Iran Mall, Tehran

Abstract

In the context of smart city governance, promoting psychological well-being in enclosed public spaces has emerged as a strategic urban priority. This study examines the role of biophilic design in enhancing customers’ mental health from a smart governance perspective, using the Iran Mall complex in Tehran as a case study. Adopting a qualitative approach, the research is based on documentary and literature analysis within the domains of environmental psychology, biophilic design, and smart city governance.

The findings indicate that the systematic integration of biophilic elements—such as natural lighting, vegetation, water features, and organic forms—contributes to the creation of restorative environments that mitigate stress and psychological fatigue. At the operational level, these qualities are associated with improved mood, higher satisfaction, and a more positive customer experience, which collectively increase the duration and quality of user presence in commercial spaces. The Iran Mall case illustrates that a deliberate and coherent integration of natural components within commercial architecture significantly enhances visitors’ sensory and emotional engagement.

At the governance level, the study argues that biophilic design should be understood not merely as a competitive or aesthetic strategy, but as a core component of human-centered smart city governance. Accordingly, the research emphasizes the need for policymakers, urban designers, and city managers to incorporate biophilic principles into public-space planning to support mental well-being, sustainability, and collective urban quality of life in future smart cities.