Built environment

Duke Integrative Health centre library © Duke Integtative Health

Good architects and good town planning may not seem an obvious health issue, but there's growing evidence that our built environment has a huge effect on our chances of getting healthy and staying well.  The places where we live, work or go to school affect the exercise we take, the food we have easy access to and whether we feel part of the community around us.

What have buildings got to do with health?

Three million new homes are planned in the next decade to house the UK's growing population.  We explore why this is a health issue, and how some innovative architects are making it easier for people to live healthy lives.

Building for mind, body and spirit

Ben Bolgar from The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment has been involved in several big urban design projects from hospitals to whole new towns.  Here he talks about the importance of creating a 'human sized' environment in architecture.

Architecture for ordinary people

Architects are urged to build for wellbeing, but until recently there's been little research about what this means in practice.  We spoke to Professor Elizabeth Burton about her work in this area, and how buildings affect neighbourliness and quality of life in a community.  

Built environment news