Brasilia Syndrome Versus Humanizing Urban Spaces: A Controversial Discourse Over Human Scale in Urban Planning and Design

Brasilia Syndrome (also called Helicopter Urbanism) is a terminology introduced by Jan Gеhl to characterize urban planning methodologies that prioritize aerial aesthetics over the lived experience of neighborhoods’ inhabitants. Such strategies, which gained prominence in the 1950s, led to visually striking cityscapes from an elevated perspective. This paper investigates the Brasilia Syndrome (BS) concept and its implications on urban layout, mainly focusing on integrating human-scale factors with a particular focus on Gulf region cities. The phenomenon, coined in connection with the city of Brasilia, Brazil, represents the stressful conditions related to city planning that neglect human needs in favor of implementing architectural and urban designs with intended pre-planned aerial aesthetics. It explores the theoretical underpinnings of (BS) through an interdisciplinary literature on urban studies, theory, psychology, and sociology with examples from the Gulf region. Furthermore, it explores the importance of human scale factors, namely walkability, landscaping, use of public spaces, and pedestrian-oriented planning in creating livable, and sustainable urban spaces. This paper clarifies the unfavorable consequences of disregarding human-scale worries in city/neighborhood layouts through a comparative assessment of case studies with empirical evidence. Finally, this study concludes the adverse repercussions of neglecting human scale in urban design and planning projects, notably observed in some Gulf region cities. It reveals the pervasive influence of Brasilia Syndrome (BS) over human needs, resulting in fragmented neighborhood, insufficient walkability, neighborhood segregation along highways, and inadequate public spaces. The research findings offer insights for policymakers, urban planners, architects, and researchers vibrant and sustainable cities and neighborhoods that consider its residents. Knowledge and disseminate information. Digital networks increase communication as well as allow people, regions and nations to collaborate and share information aiming at fostering growth and sustaining development. For developing countries, external knowledge enhances the economy readiness to diversify output, create employment opportunities and improve global competitiveness.