Our society is becoming increasingly urbanised. Public space, whether indoor or outdoor, plays an important role in our spiritual well-being and can facilitate socialisation and support a feeling of security. The living environment has certain characteristics that can be associated with negative or positive health, such as the effects of noise and vibration, landscaping and greenery, as well as the size of the living environment-residential area or the possibility of choosing between different routes of movement.
How does one gather objective feedback in such a situation, which can then be take into account in urban planning? For example, to assess, in as evidence-based a manner as possible, how city residents feel in the city’s main square, in the courtyard of a residential area, or in a park?
One step closer towards more objective urban planning is offered by the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities ‘Urban Planning Well-Being Score for Good Quality Living Environment’ pilot project.