Environments that promote health and wellbeing
We develop knowledge and solutions to shape everyday environments in ways that prevent disease and improve people’s health and wellbeing. Our aim is to make healthy choices easier and more natural.
Within the Healthy Spaces research area, we develop and test solutions in real-world settings, ranging from schools and residential areas to cities and communities. This allows us to identify which initiatives work for different people and contexts. The results can support more targeted decision-making and help create living environments that promote long-term health.
Current projects
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Promoting health and social interaction for school children with decreased sound tolerance
The project aims to increase knowledge about the needs of noise-sensitive children in schools, present strategies for inclusion, and help establish new guidelines for classroom sound environments that minimise stress and social exclusion.
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Design and Maintain Healthy Urban Design for Walking
The aim of the project is to increase knowledge about how pedestrian traffic can be increased, and how the safety situation for this mode of transport can be improved, by combining knowledge from a broad architectural perspective, with health science, policy research and innovation.
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Early detection of risk for diseases using environmental forensics
The project Early detection of risk for diseases using environmental forensics (ED2EF) aims to increase the knowledge of how our health is affected by our environment, with focus on water quality.
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Health development in students with intellectual disabilities through philosophical conversations
The project Philosophical Conversations in Adapted Primary Schools aims to increase knowledge about the impact that participation in philosophical conversations has on the development of socio-emotional and existential health in children in adapted primary school.
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HeartSmart: Using design co-creation to develop healthier cities
A deeper understanding on how smart city design can lead to a healthier city, for its inhabitants, business owners, and visitors.
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Sustainable Innovations for Children Travelling Actively 3.0
Lack of physical activity threatens children's health in the long run. The SICTA 3.0 project aims to increase knowledge about how social norms interact with health behaviour, which here specifically refers to children's healthy and independent mobility.