Built environment

The built environment refers to the man-made physical components of our environment.

The layout and features of our environment can predict our behaviours and our exposure to health hazards.

What is the built environment?

The built environment refers to the man-made physical components of our environment. It includes everything from buildings, transportation systems, street networks and open spaces like parking lots and soccer fields.

How are the built environment and health related?

The layout and features of our environment can predict our behaviours and our exposure to health hazards. Consider, for instance, the accessibility of healthy foods, the amount of traffic near our homes and the distances we must travel to work, play or school. Also consider how we travel (walking, cycling, public transit or personal vehicle), the safety of the air, water and soil near our homes and the abundance or lack of nature in our immediate environment.

The design and features of the built environment can help or hinder us in making healthy choices like getting exercise, using public transit, relaxing outside and finding healthy foods to buy. The built environment holds tremendous potential for addressing many current public health issues such as obesity, community safety, social inequities, mental health and exposure to environmental hazards.

Check out these interesting facts about the environment and our health:

Transportation

Food

Green spaces

How is Public Health Sudbury & Districts building a healthy environment?

The creation and modification of the built environment is achieved through a complex web of professions, disciplines and influencers. We work with municipalities, planners, developers, provincial and federal ministries, professional organizations, community groups and other partners to ensure that health is considered in decision making.

We envision the creation of vibrant, safe communities that prevent disease, promote health and ultimately enhance the quality of life for all residents.


This item was last modified on August 16, 2019