Exposure to High-Rise Buildings Negatively Influences Affect: Evidence from Real World and 360-degree Video

Cities are densifying at a rapid rate, and accordingly, are constructing high-rise buildings to accommodate more people. The aim of this study was to quantify the physiological and psychological impacts of being in the presence of high-rise buildings in Central London, in a real and virtual 360-degree video environment. Using a within-subjects design, participants were exposed to a low-rise and high-rise building. While exposed, participants were monitored for electrodermal activity. They were also administered the Self-Assessment Manikin measure and a cognitive appraisal questionnaire. Participants rated the high-rise building environment to be less open, less friendly and rated themselves to feel less happy and have less sense of control, as compared to low-rise buildings. We found these effects in both the real world (n = 16) and a 360-degree video setting (n = 121). These findings suggest that city environments populated with high-rise buildings can have negative impacts on urban dwellers. Furthermore, this study provides a methodology to examine how individuals respond to the built environment and stands to inform urban design and architectural practices.