How to Design Eco-Villages, Towns and Cities with Feng Shui and Environmental Psychology

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How to Design Eco-Villages, Towns and Cities with Feng Shui and Environmental Psychology (introduction)

As a feng shui expert and environmental psychologist with over 40 years of professional practice, my extensive experience in feng shui, vastu shastra, and environmental psychology uniquely positions me to guide the design of sustainable and healthy eco-villages, towns, and cities. Born in Zamość, a Renaissance gem in South Poland, my design ethos is deeply influenced by harmonious architectural principles, which I detail further on my blog (fengshuilondon.net). Currently, I am undertaking my PhD research in feng shui, with a specific focus on optimising the design of bedrooms and workplaces.

1. Theoretical Foundations

1.1 Feng shui and Human–Environment Interaction
Feng shui, an ancient Chinese geomantic practice, emphasises harmonious interactions between human beings and their surroundings by managing the flow of qi, the vital life energy. Effective eco-village designs use natural landscapes and intentional architecture to ensure optimal energy circulation (Li, 2010).

1.2 Environmental Psychology and Design
Environmental psychology studies how physical environments influence human wellbeing, health, and behaviour. Design principles such as restorative environments, natural views, daylighting, and biophilic elements significantly enhance community health (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Ulrich, 1984).

1.3 Integrating Vastu Shastra
Vastu shastra, the traditional Indian system of architecture, aligns spaces with natural energies to promote prosperity, health, and psychological balance, closely resonating with feng shui (Jain, Sharma, & Kumar, 2012).

2. Site Selection and Contextual Analysis

Optimal site selection is foundational for a sustainable eco-village:

  • Topography: Incorporate protective mountains and nourishing water bodies, using classic feng shui principles of armchair configuration and Prospect-Refuge Theory (Appleton, 1975)
  • Geopathic Stress: Map geopathic stress lines and avoid them in key areas, especially bedrooms (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2015).
  • Soil Health: Test for contaminants per EPA and WHO standards.
  • Ecological Networks: Maintain biodiversity corridors and habitats (Tzoulas et al., 2007).
  • Check Geological Hazards: Evaluate for fault lines, tectonic plate boundaries, active or dormant volcanic zones, seismic activity and related geohazards. Assess also for radon risk – natural radioactive gas often concentrated along faults and in uranium‑rich bedrock (Chen et al., 2018; Gillmore et al., 2001). Mapping such hazards is essential to prevent structural, environmental and long‑term health issues .

3. Layout Principles and Spatial Design

3.1 Macro-layout: Plan layouts harmonised with cardinal directions, solar patterns, and local landscapes to optimise feng shui energy.
3.2 Micro-layout: Incorporate water bodies, greenery, and communal spaces strategically to enhance local qi flow.
3.3 Transition Zones: Create green buffers and edges to soften transitions and improve ecological balance (Ulrich, Simons, & Losito, 1991).
3.4 Harmonising Rectilinearity and Curvilinearity: A balanced eco-village layout integrates both rectilinear geometry for efficiency and spatial clarity, and curvilinear elements for softness, flow, and natural resonance. Environmental psychology research shows that people tend to prefer and feel more comfortable in environments that blend straight lines with organic forms (Vartanian et al., 2013). From a feng shui perspective, this balance allows for the structured stability of yang (rectilinearity) and the flowing receptivity of yin (curves), enhancing the spatial qi. Paths, water features, and garden beds may follow gentle arcs, while buildings retain clear edges and defined perimeters for structure and orientation.
3.5 Central Marketplaces and Social Plazas: Village life across cultures has always centred around communal gathering spaces, particularly central marketplaces. These function not only as economic hubs but also as vital public arenas for social interaction, celebration, and the reinforcement of community identity. According to Alexander, Ishikawa, and Silverstein (1977) in A Pattern Language, successful public spaces share common features: accessibility, enclosure, human scale, and multifunctionality. Designing a central marketplace within an eco-village strengthens the social fabric, enhances resilience, and promotes inclusivity.
3.6 Sacred Geometry and Symbolic Design: Incorporating sacred geometry into eco-village planning aligns the built and natural environments with universal patterns found in nature, such as the golden ratio, Fibonacci sequence, and flower of life. These configurations are not only aesthetically pleasing but are thought to support coherent energy fields, reduce stress, and foster spiritual resonance. When pathways, communal buildings, gardens, or even whole village layouts follow sacred geometric principles, they contribute to a sense of harmony and cosmological alignment. Both feng shui and vastu shastra traditions include symbolic orientation, proportion, and number symbolism, which align naturally with sacred geometry principles (Lawlor, 1982).

4. Building Design for Health and Energy Efficiency

4.1 Passive Solar and Natural Ventilation: Buildings should use south-facing glazing, thermal mass, and ventilation for energy efficiency and health.
4.2 Clean Building Materials: Prioritise non-toxic, low-VOC materials and sustainably sourced timber (Riley & Diez-Ulloa, 2005).
4.3 Electrosmog Mitigation: Minimise electromagnetic fields (EMFs), dirty electricity, etc with shielded cables and wired internet to reduce electrosmog (Röösli, 2008).

5. Renewable Energy and Services

5.1 Solar Energy Without Dirty Electricity: Install PV systems with sine-wave inverters and filters to reduce dirty electricity (Mahdavi & Taheri, 2013).
5.2 Ground-source Heat Pumps: Use trench installations that minimise geopathic interference.
5.3 Rainwater and Filtration Systems: Implement comprehensive rainwater harvesting and whole-house filtration with biochar or reverse-osmosis systems.
5.4 Greywater Recycling: Utilise natural reed-bed filtration to sustainably manage wastewater (EPA, 2014).

6. Landscape, Ecology, and Community Spaces

6.1 Edible and Medicinal Landscapes: Incorporate polycultural systems for ecological health and community nutrition (M’Gonigle, 2010).
6.2 Geomantic Garden Design: Gardens should employ feng shui principles such as spiral patterns and circular arrangements.
6.3 Play and Ceremonial Spaces: Include meditation gardens, central plazas, and labyrinths for community engagement.

7. Community Aspect: Environmental Psychology in Eco-Village Design

As an environmental psychologist with over 40 years of expertise, I understand that healthy and sustainable communities go beyond physical structures. A well-designed eco-village nurtures community cohesion, mental wellbeing, and social resilience through thoughtful integration of environmental psychology principles (Gifford, 2014).

7.1 Creating a Sense of Community (SoC)
Environmental psychology research highlights the importance of fostering a robust Sense of Community. Designing eco-villages involves intentional planning for frequent, casual interactions that reinforce social bonds, including centrally placed gathering areas and pedestrian-friendly streets (McMillan & Chavis, 1986). Design community-centric areas for social cohesion (McMillan & Chavis, 1986).

  • Checklist:

    • Centralised community plazas or squares

    • Shared pedestrian and cycling pathways

    • Accessible multi-purpose community spaces

7.2 Place Attachment and Identity
Strong place attachment – emotional bonds between people and their environment – is central to community wellbeing (Lewicka, 2011). Eco-villages designed with clear local identities, using historical, cultural, or symbolic elements, create a deeper emotional resonance.

  • Checklist:

    • Integrate cultural and historical references into designs

    • Preserve or recreate local landscape features (e.g. native plantings)

    • Personalise public spaces through community-created artwork or gardens

7.3 Social Capital and Collective Action
Well-designed eco-villages promote social capital by enhancing networks of trust, mutual assistance, and shared purpose (Putnam, 2000). Environmental psychology studies confirm that environments promoting regular, cooperative activities build long-term resilience and community empowerment.

  • Checklist:

    • Community gardens, orchards, or food forests

    • Spaces designed explicitly for collective tasks (e.g. workshops, shared maintenance areas)

    • Facilities encouraging sustainable lifestyle collaboration (e.g. communal kitchens, co-housing arrangements)

7.4 Restorative Environments and Mental Health
Integrating restorative environments—areas supporting psychological recovery and stress reduction—is vital. Nature-rich settings designed according to feng shui principles, such as strategically placed water features and green views, facilitate mental restoration and emotional healing (Kaplan, 1995; Ulrich, 1984).

  • Checklist:

    • Quiet, contemplative spaces like meditation gardens or sensory paths

    • Water features positioned to maximise visual and auditory tranquillity

    • Natural seating areas with landscape views

7.5 Participatory Design and Governance
Participatory design processes enhance residents’ sense of ownership, responsibility, and satisfaction with their environment (Sanoff, 2000). As an expert in both feng shui and environmental psychology, I facilitate inclusive design processes that empower community members in decision-making and stewardship roles.

  • Checklist:

    • Community workshops for co-designing spaces

    • Participatory budgeting and planning meetings

    • Regular forums for community feedback and adaptive improvements

7.6 Green Organic Farms
Integrating green, organic farms into eco-villages ensures food security, improves soil health, supports biodiversity, and enhances community self-sufficiency. Polyculture and permaculture approaches promote resilience against climate change while reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. These systems encourage closed-loop ecological cycles and align with feng shui principles of living harmoniously with the land (M’Gonigle, 2010).

7.7 Sustainable and Reliable Energy
Sustainable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and micro-hydro schemes should be implemented alongside reliable energy storage solutions. Smart grid integration and use of clean inverters reduce dirty electricity and electrosmog while maintaining energy independence. These systems should be located with sensitivity to geomantic energy lines and community needs (Mahdavi & Taheri, 2013).

7.8 Transpersonal and Spiritual Dimensions
In eco-village planning, it is increasingly recognised that communities thrive not only through ecological and social cohesion, but also by addressing deeper transpersonal needs. A sense of connection to something greater—whether experienced as nature, spirit, or the cosmos—can foster meaning, resilience, and collective wellbeing. Integrating contemplative spaces, ceremonial areas, and opportunities for shared rituals supports this dimension. From a feng shui perspective, these spaces anchor the shen qi (spirit energy) of the place, encouraging inspiration, purpose, and harmony at the soul level. Transpersonal psychology affirms that such environments can enhance states of self-transcendence and belonging, essential for long-term community flourishing (Rowan, 2005; Vaughan, 1995).

Integration into Existing Expertise
Incorporating the community-oriented aspects of environmental psychology enhances the holistic, scientifically grounded framework of eco-village design. Leveraging my decades-long experience in feng shui, vastu shastra, and environmental psychology allows communities to flourish physically, psychologically, and socially—creating resilient, vibrant, and sustainable habitats.

8. Monitoring, Maintenance and Adaptive Sustainability

Regularly evaluate air quality, EMF, geopathic stress and soil health. Facilitate adaptive improvements based on community feedback.

9. Electrosmog, Geopathic Stress, and Water, Indoor Air Quality

Deploy EMF shielding fabrics and geopathic stress harmonisers to maintain healthy indoor environments. Install robust HEPA and carbon filtration systems and water filtration, if necessary.

10. Checklist

  • Site Selection: Topography, biodiversity, geopathic stress mapping…
  • Building Design: Passive solar, clean materials, EMF protection…
  • Renewable Systems: Solar energy with clean inverters, greywater recycling…
  • Interior Health: Whole-house filtration, EMF and air quality control…
  • Community Design: Shared spaces, restorative environments, organic farms, participatory design…

11. Engaging Expert Advice

My 40+ years of expertise in feng shui, vastu shastra, and environmental psychology ensures each project achieves maximum ecological and psychological harmony. Born and raised in architecturally harmonious Zamość, my approach synthesises cultural wisdom with modern science.

Call to Action

Contact me today on +44 7956 288574 for customised consultancy in designing holistic, sustainable eco-villages and towns that promote physical, emotional, and environmental health.

References

Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., & Silverstein, M. (1977). A pattern language: Towns, buildings, construction. Oxford University Press.Chen, J., Rahman, N. M., & Qin, H. (2018). Radon and geologic hazards in residential areas. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 184-185, 123-130.

Gillmore, G. K., Phillips, P. S., & Denman, A. R. (2001). Radon emissions and geohazards. Environmental Geology, 40(7), 862-872.

Gifford, R. (2014). Environmental psychology matters. Annual Review of Psychology, 65(1), 541–579.

Jain, R., Sharma, D., & Kumar, P. (2012). Spatial orientation in Vastu and feng shui. International Journal of Environmental Design, 6(2), 85‑97.

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature. Cambridge University Press.

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182.

Lawlor, R. (1982). Sacred geometry: Philosophy and practice. Thames & Hudson.

Lewicka, M. (2011). Place attachment: How far have we come in the last 40 years? Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31(3), 207–230.

Mahdavi, A., & Taheri, M. (2013). Renewable energy in buildings. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 24, 345‑355.

McMillan, D. W., & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6–23.

M’Gonigle, M. (2010). Polycultural permaculture design. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 34(1), 13‑23.

Nieuwenhuijsen, M., et al. (2015). Geopathic stress measurement. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(5), 435‑442.

Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.

Riley, D., & Diez‑Ulloa, S. (2005). Low‑toxicity building materials. Indoor and Built Environment, 14(2), 99‑119.

Rowan, J. (2005). The transpersonal: Spirituality in psychotherapy and counselling. Routledge.

Röösli, M. (2008). Health treatment of EMF. Bioelectromagnetics, 29(4), 220‑230.

Sanoff, H. (2000). Community participation methods in design and planning. John Wiley & Sons.

Tzoulas, K., et al. (2007). Ecological networks. Landscape and Urban Planning, 81(3), 223‑234.

Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery. Science, 224(4647), 420‑421.

Ulrich, R., Simons, R., & Losito, B. (1991). Stress recovery in natural settings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(1), 201‑230.

Vaughan, F. (1995). The inward arc: Healing in psychotherapy and spirituality. Shambhala.

World Health Organization. (2017). Guidelines for indoor air quality.

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