Report on Spatial Development and Changes in Flanders2021 - Chapter 5 - Ensuring healthy living environments

People's daily living environment has a significant impact on their physical and mental health. That environment is determined by the social and economic context and the physical living environment. Spatial policy, which orders the physical living environment, therefore has a substantial impact on our health. Just think of high quality housing, attractive public spaces and greenery, sufficient facilities, healthy mobility, etc. We define a healthy physical living environment as one that is experienced as pleasant, that invites healthy choices and lifestyles, where the pressure on health is minimal and one where social interaction is possible. Although it must be recognized that a healthy living environment is not determined solely by measurable characteristics, but also by how people (subjectively) experience their living environment, in which what is important for one person (e.g. a car-free environment), is not necessarily so for another (impact of a car-free environment on accessibility for people with reduced mobility).

Publication year:2021

Keywords:ruimterapport

Accessibility:Open