QUALITY OF LIFE FOUNDATION: LITERATURE REVIEW
A literature review outlining the pathways through which the planning and design of the built environment can deliver the conditions for a high quality of life for all
Year
2019
Service
Research
Reports
Quality of Life Foundation Literature Review, 2019
Client
Quality of Life Foundation
The Quality of Life Foundation commissioned Publica to conduct a literature review of current academic studies and government reports, guidance, strategies and policies addressing the links between quality of life and the built environment. The aim of the review was to identify key themes and specific pathways through which the buildings, communities and neighbourhoods where people live and work support a high quality of life.
Quality of life was conceptualised broadly as the ease, comfort, independence and enjoyment that people experience to support happy, active, sociable, interesting and meaningful lives. It is the accumulated impact of day-to-day activities and encounters that leads to an overall sense of physical and mental wellbeing. Across all the material studied in this review it is understood, to a degree, that quality of life and wellbeing can be supported, or infringed upon, by the places in which people’s lives play out.
By reviewing existing evidence, identifying gaps in the literature and assessing current practices, the review sought to reveal unexplored avenues for the Quality of Life Foundation to influence decision-makers.
Six themes were identified to organise the literature review. These address what people need from their homes and communities to support quality of life:
— A sense of control and agency among residents over their environment
— Ease of movement
— Belonging and togetherness
— Feeling cared for
— Access to nature
— Enjoyment, fun and wonder
The review sets out strategies for ensuring these drivers of quality of life are embedded in the places and neighbourhoods currently being built. Publica identified opportunities for better delivering and valuing quality of life outcomes during the land assembly, planning, design, construction, management and evaluation of new developments. The research therefore both identifies what makes a place supportive and conducive to a good quality of life and the practices that either support or hinder these outcomes being delivered.
The research and findings were presented to the Quality of Life Foundation board in January 2020 and on March 1st 2021, the Quality of Life Foundation will launch its framework, building upon the six identified themes to establish the actions developers, designers, communities and local authorities can take to deliver places that promote a good quality of life for all, now and in the future.
QUALITY OF LIFE FOUNDATION : LITERATURE REVIEW
A literature review outlining the pathways through which the planning and design of the built environment can deliver the conditions for a high quality of life for all
Year
2019
Service
Research
Reports
Quality of Life Foundation Literature Review, 2019
Client
Quality of Life Foundation
The Quality of Life Foundation commissioned Publica to conduct a literature review of current academic studies and government reports, guidance, strategies and policies addressing the links between quality of life and the built environment. The aim of the review was to identify key themes and specific pathways through which the buildings, communities and neighbourhoods where people live and work support a high quality of life.
Quality of life was conceptualised broadly as the ease, comfort, independence and enjoyment that people experience to support happy, active, sociable, interesting and meaningful lives. It is the accumulated impact of day-to-day activities and encounters that leads to an overall sense of physical and mental wellbeing. Across all the material studied in this review it is understood, to a degree, that quality of life and wellbeing can be supported, or infringed upon, by the places in which people’s lives play out.
By reviewing existing evidence, identifying gaps in the literature and assessing current practices, the review sought to reveal unexplored avenues for the Quality of Life Foundation to influence decision-makers.
Six themes were identified to organise the literature review. These address what people need from their homes and communities to support quality of life:
— A sense of control and agency among residents over their environment
— Ease of movement
— Belonging and togetherness
— Feeling cared for
— Access to nature
— Enjoyment, fun and wonder
The review sets out strategies for ensuring these drivers of quality of life are embedded in the places and neighbourhoods currently being built. Publica identified opportunities for better delivering and valuing quality of life outcomes during the land assembly, planning, design, construction, management and evaluation of new developments. The research therefore both identifies what makes a place supportive and conducive to a good quality of life and the practices that either support or hinder these outcomes being delivered.
The research and findings were presented to the Quality of Life Foundation board in January 2020 and on March 1st 2021, the Quality of Life Foundation will launch its framework, building upon the six identified themes to establish the actions developers, designers, communities and local authorities can take to deliver places that promote a good quality of life for all, now and in the future.