Numerous studies have shown that the emotional wellbeing of urban populations is influenced by various aspects of urban development, such as social factors and the presence of walkable areas and green spaces. However, there is a lack of research that closely integrates urban design and cognition, particularly in the context of vertical and volumetric urbanism. This disconnect between design and science disciplines is evident when reviewing the limited research on emotional and spatial cognition in this specific urban context. This paper seeks to address that disconnect by proposing a comprehensive framework for the cognitive measurement and modelling of the built environment. This will involve exploring and measuring neural mechanisms, employing electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment to measure user responses in vertical and volumetric public spaces. The aim is to create a foundation for further studies in this field that is consistent and rigorous and can facilitate collaboration with cognitive neuroscientists by establishing a shared conceptual basis. The goal of this research is to develop a human-centric approach for urban design that is scientific and measurable, producing a set of urban design guidelines that incorporate cognitive measurement and modelling, with the broader intention to prioritize human needs and wellbeing within urban environments to make them more liveable.

The main focus of this paper is to propose a comprehensive framework for the cognitive meas-urement and modelling of the built environment. This will involve exploring and measuring neural mechanisms. The aim is to create a foundation for further studies in this field that are consistent and rigorous. Additionally, this framework will facilitate collaboration with cognitive neuroscientists by establishing a shared conceptual basis. The goal of this research is to develop a human-centric approach for urban design that is scientific and measurable, producing a set of urban design guidelines that incorporate cognitive measurement and modelling. By doing so, the broader intention is to design urban spaces that prioritize human needs and well-being, mak-ing them more liveable.

While age-friendly initiatives increasingly recognise the importance of play for recreational well-being in later life, its conceptualisation and the specific mechanisms driving it remain significantly underexplored, particularly among female older adults (FOAs). Addressing this critical gap, our study focuses on FOAs in Hong Kong’s high-density public housing estates (PHEs), a vital yet overlooked demographic in urban ageing research. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 52 participants, we integrated thematic analysis with fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), guided by the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework. This approach elucidates the complex interplay of factors facilitating FOAs’ playful engagement, with a specific focus on the roles of ageism and the built environment. Our findings reveal a multi-dimensional framework of FOA play, delineating five primary dimensions: Embodied Health Instrumentality, Collective Participation, Organisational Dependency, Generational Temporalities, and Implicit Playful Mindset. FOAs conceptualise play as a dual-purpose pursuit, bridging functional imperatives (e.g. health maintenance, cognitive stimulation) and recreational vitality (e.g. social engagement, emotional regulation). The fsQCA results yielded six distinct configurations that enable play, highlighting health aspirations and collective participation as core enablers, frequently synergised with an implicit playful mindset. Peripheral yet significant factors encompass favourable environmental quality, financial freedom, and the absence of loneliness or ageism. Beyond dismantling ageist stereotypes, this research establishes play as a critical missing element in contemporary age-friendly urban discourse. These findings offer transformative insights for reimagining inclusive urban environments that authentically accommodate diverse recreational expressions and combat the pervasive loneliness crisis among older adults in high-density contexts.

Confronting the escalating extreme weather events (EWEs) and intensifying winds, this study proposes an active response to these issues by exploring decentralized wind energy production for Peng Chau Island, Hong Kong. It integrates theoretical perspectives on energy democracy—empowering local communities through energy autonomy—and urban resilience, addressing vulnerabilities to climate‐induced disruptions. Using a cost evaluation model based on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for turbine placement, the research evaluates vertical‐axis microturbines (VAMTs) and Magnus Vertical‐Axis Turbines (MVTs). Results show VAMTs require 609 units for an approximated US$4–5 million to meet the island's 6,660,000 kWh annual demand from peri‐urban inhabitants, outperforming MVTs'’ $34‐40 million for 218 units and conventional offshore turbine's $14–20 million. Beyond cost, decentralized systems mitigate EWE risks by reducing reliance on centralized grids, fostering resilience in remote urban settings. This study highlights how such systems advance sustainable development by linking practical energy solutions to broader climate adaptation and energy justice.