Abstract:

The development of urban density has brought challenges to human physical and mental health. This study takes Shanghai as a case city, and uses questionnaire survey data and census data to analyze urban density’s effects on residents’ physical and mental health indicators and its mediating mechanism. It shows that the population density of Shanghai ranks first among the major cities in the world, and the level of population density has crossed the critical point. The negative effects on residents’ health are highlighted by sub-health indicators, mental health indicators and social adaptation indicators. Subjective perception environment assessment is an important way for urban densification development to affect residents’ health. Therefore, it is recommended to strictly control the high-density development and construction of megacities, fully optimize and adjust leisure space, and improve the quality of residents’ living space.

Key words: population density, physical and mental health, megacity