The impact of historic built environment on residents’ emotional experiences: Duhok as a case study

Abstract This study explores the impact of Historic urban environments in shaping the emotional experience of Duhok City residents, focusing on interdisciplinary insights from urban design, planning, and environmental psychology as urban development has shown a significant impact on residents’ mental state, with recent research linking city living to an increased rate of mood and anxiety disorders. This study builds on previous findings and research gaps in a localized context. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs considers psychological well-being as a crucial aspect of the human journey to self-connection and transcendence, based on that the research explored how historic settings influence residents’ sense of belonging, identity, and self-connection. Preliminary results suggest that Historic Environments contribute to reduced negative emotions, and enhanced satisfaction levels, by fostering a strong emotional attachment, sense of place, and community identity. This research underlines the importance of preserving and integrating historical elements in urban design and planning to promote mental well-being and enrich residents’ emotional experiences.