World Health Organisation case study: “Compassionate Places: Place Quality Model for healthy, human-centric design”
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2025
MATTER SPACE SOUL’s Compassionate Places Method and Place Quality Model have been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global exemplar for urban health. The WHO released 22 case studies in December 2025 following their report and call for a new era of strategic urban health action. The new guide and international case studies aim to support decision-makers to unlock change and build healthier, fairer, prosperous, resilient and more sustainable cities.
"The Compassionate Places Method / Place Quality Model is a transdisciplinary approach and practical framework that integrates built environment design practice, public health and human sciences, drawing on insights from neuroscience, environmental psychology, sociology, and spatial justice to reorient how urban environments are shaped.
Developed by a private consultancy (“Matter Space Soul”), the model has been adapted for local government, providing a structured way to embed human health, social wellbeing, inclusivity and equity considerations into everyday planning and design decisions."
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
MAKING COMPASSIONATE PLACES IN PRACTICE AND POLICY
The Compassionate Places Method and Place Quality Model re-frame the concept of Design Quality to create outcomes for people’s health, social connection, community, inclusivity, equity and quality of life. It brings innovation in human-focused, science-informed architecture and urban design into everyday use for practical design and planning processes.
WHAT IS COMPASSIONATE, HUMAN-CENTRIC DESIGN?
“The model’s three dimensions (health and wellbeing, community and belonging, vibrant and inclusive places) and three scales of analysis (individuals, social relationships, wider civic life) help designers and decision-makers develop a holistic vision, looking beyond minimum area standards or conventional checklists of physical features, and instead asking how a development will affect how residents feel, connect with others and participate in local life.”
IMPLEMENTING NEUROARCHITECTURE INTO DESIGN AND PLANNING
“Because the model is designed for local authorities, designers and decision-makers, it pays particular attention to the translation and presentation of transdisciplinary knowledge, such as insights from the fields of Neuroarchitecture and Biophilic Design. Complex concepts are re-expressed as clear expectations and examples that can be used by non-specialists.”
HOW IT CAN INFORM OTHER CITIES GLOBALLY
“For other cities, this case suggests that applying transdisciplinary insights to decision-making requires more than citing evidence. It involves designing frameworks and processes that make complex knowledge usable, negotiating how they fit with existing powers and workflows, and creating productive feedback loops through monitoring and evaluation.”
"Decision-makers around the world are finding new and creative ways to act strategically on urban health – aligning urban systems, policies, and partnerships. This series of urban health case studies documents this emerging phenomenon. Each study presents a concrete example of how governments, communities, and other partners have worked across sectors and scales to embed health and equity into urban decisions.
These cases form part of WHO’s broader initiative on strategic action for urban health, anchored in the comprehensive global report: Taking a strategic approach to urban health: a guide for decision-makers."
