Spiritual Wellness and the Built Environment

What if city design could prevent harm before it happens—and even lift our sense of purpose? We sat down with architect and planner Phillip Tabb to explore spiritual wellness as a practical, universal lens for shaping healthier streets, homes, and public spaces. Phill draws a clear line between spirituality and religion to focus on experiences we all share: safety, serenity, awe, belonging, and meaning. We unpack the wellness pillars—physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, and financial—and why social connection may be the strongest longevity factor. That insight reframes planning choices: front porches close to sidewalks, paths that prioritize pedestrians, and public squares that can hold both quiet lunches and electric festivals. Housing rounds out the conversation with a hard truth: bigger isn’t better if it separates us and prices out workers. If design is preventative care, then spiritually healthy places are ones that help us breathe, connect, and find purpose every day.Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, rate, and share the show—and tell us what design move would bring more serenity or awe to your neighborhood.Show Notes:Further Reading: The Findhorn Garden: Pioneering a New Vision of Man and Nature in Cooperation by The Finhorn CommunityJournal of Biophilic Design by Vanessa Champion Nature and the Cities by Fritz SteinerDeath and Life of Great American Cities by Jane JacobsTo help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/booked-on-planning/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookedPlanningFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookedonplanningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookedonplanning/