Dr. Koncha Pinos
Dr. Koncha Pinos is the co-director of The Wellbeing Planet, a global organization active in 48 countries, dedicated to advancing health, education, and sustainability to enhance well-being. A renowned speaker and educator, Dr. Pinos is a pioneer in neuroarchitecture and neuroaesthetics, developing nature-based solutions in contexts of trauma and recovery. Her approach merges well-being science with the transformative power of art and nature, using therapeutic gardens, forests, and purposefully designed environments to foster healing.
With over thirty years of experience, Dr. Pinos has led groundbreaking programs exploring how natural and artistic environments —inspired by figures such as Gaudí and Picasso— can strengthen resilience and neuroplasticity in individuals and communities affected by trauma. Her work also focuses on creating healing ecosystems that integrate sustainability and humanistic design, revitalizing both mind and body.
Recipient of the Luxembourg Peace Prize and UNESCO recognition, Dr. Pinos is a leading voice at the intersection of neuroscience, design, and global well-being. Her ongoing research delves into how adaptive environments can reduce stress and transform the experience of wellness in healthcare systems and communities worldwide.
Contemplative Spaces and Nature-Based Interventions in Mental Health: Botanic Gardens as Therapeutic Environments
In the face of rapid societal change, particularly within the Middle East where conflict and instability have left enduring psychological impacts, there is an urgent need for mental health interventions that support trauma recovery, resilience, and community cohesion. This presentation explores the transformative role of botanic gardens as therapeutic spaces, grounded in contemplative neuroscience, which facilitate emotional healing and resilience in trauma-impacted communities.
Through The Wellbeing Planet’s partnerships with governments, educational institutions, and civil organizations across 48 countries, we have implemented programs that repurpose botanic gardens into nature-based spaces specifically designed to aid trauma recovery. These therapeutic spaces offer an accessible environment that promotes calm and emotional regulation through intentional design, featuring sensory pathways, restorative plantings, and tranquil water features. Such elements are informed by research in contemplative neuroscience, which highlights how immersion in nature and quiet, reflective spaces can help individuals regulate the nervous system, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and foster a sense of safety and emotional grounding.
Innovatively, this approach integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor visitors' responses to these therapeutic environments, allowing for real-time insights into the effectiveness of various design elements. AI technology assesses physiological and emotional responses, helping to identify which aspects of the garden—such as specific flora, soundscapes, or natural patterns—are most conducive to trauma recovery. This data-driven feedback loop enables the adaptive design of botanic gardens, ensuring they remain responsive to the unique needs of communities experiencing change and trauma.
Furthermore, botanic gardens serve as community spaces where individuals and groups can engage in collective healing. Programs within these gardens are designed to encourage dialogue, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and support shared learning about resilience-building strategies. For communities facing the challenges of displacement, loss, and socio-political shifts, these gardens provide not only a refuge for personal reflection but also a communal space that reinforces social bonds and fosters a collective commitment to healing.
In summary, botanic gardens represent a novel, integrative model for mental health support, combining nature-based therapy, contemplative neuroscience, and AI insights. As societies worldwide confront the psychological impacts of trauma and rapid change, botanic gardens offer scalable, adaptive solutions that support trauma recovery and community resilience, underscoring the essential role of natural spaces in mental health care.