India, June 7 -- A recent viral video praising the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh as India's happiest and most liveable city once again highlighted a sentiment many residents share. Visitors often describe the city using the same vocabulary: calm, organised, breathable and peaceful. But what exactly creates this experience?

The answer lies beyond clean roads or organised sectors. Chandigarh's impact is psychological. Long before the vocabulary of "mental wellness" entered mainstream urban discourse, the city was shaping emotional experience through design, proportion, greenery and predictability. In a country where urban life is often synonymous with congestion, overstimulation and spatial anxiety, Chandigarh offers something increas...