Roderick J. Lawrence

What Makes a House a Home

This article examines the design, the meaning, and the use of home interiors in terms of the reciprocal relations among cultural, sociodemographic, and psychological dimensions and the organization of spaces and activities. Moreover, in order to comprehend the complex nature of these dimensions, it is suggested that they ought to be studied in terms of a dual historical perspective. This approach provides a more comprehensive framework than that presented by many recent publications.

Positive health effects of the natural outdoor environment in typical populations in different regions in Europe (PHENOTYPE): a study programme protocol

Introduction Growing evidence suggests that close contact with nature brings benefits to human health and well-being, but the proposed mechanisms are still not well understood and the associations with health remain uncertain. The Positive Health Effects of the Natural Outdoor environment in Typical Populations in different regions in Europe (PHENOTYPE) project investigates the interconnections between natural outdoor environments and better human health and well-being. Aims and methods The PHENOTYPE project explores the proposed underlying mechanisms at work (stress reduction/restorative function, physical activity, social interaction, exposure to environmental hazards) and examines the associations with health outcomes for different population groups. It implements conventional and new innovative high-tech methods to characterise the natural environment in terms of quality and quantity. Preventive as well as therapeutic effects of contact with the natural environment are being covered. PHENOTYPE further addresses implications for land-use planning and green space management. The main innovative part of the study is the evaluation of possible short-term and long-term associations of green space and health and the possible underlying mechanisms in four different countries (each with quite a different type of green space and a different use), using the same methodology, in one research programme. This type of holistic approach has not been undertaken before. Furthermore there are technological innovations such as the use of remote sensing and smartphones in the assessment of green space. Conclusions The project will produce a more robust evidence base on links between exposure to natural outdoor environment and human health and well-being, in addition to a better integration of human health needs into land-use planning and green space management in rural as well as urban areas.

Domestic Space and Society: A Cross-Cultural Study

This essay presents a study of the influence of certain cultural, social, and architectural factors upon the meaning and use of domestic space. It attempts to promote an understanding of the history of the kinds of ideas which are invested in the spatial form and use of houses. In addition, it establishes the principle that the meaning and use of domestic space are not intrinsic to a set of physical characteristics, nor the nomenclature applied to rooms and their facilities.

Introduction: The Residential Context of Health

Our understanding of the relationship between housing and health will improve with closer attention to the characteristics of residents, their activities in relation to their housing, and social ecological factors that set the boundaries for those activities. To highlight these aspects of the subject area, we propose recharacterizing the housing and health field as one of inquiry into the residential context of health. In introducing this issue of the journal, we first elaborate on this proposal in conceptual and practical terms. We then overview the individual articles, each of which helps us develop a more nuanced view of the subject area. Finally, we comment on two themes running through multiple articles—stress and coping, and social ecological influences on residence.

Human ecology and its applications

The term human ecology was first used in 1921 by sociologists at the Chicago School of Sociology. During the 20th century definitions and interpretations of human ecology have varied considerably, not only between the natural and human sciences, but also among academic disciplines in the social sciences including anthropology, geography, psychology and sociology. This paper presents some key concepts and principles that stem from a wide range of contributions. Then it shows how ecological concepts could be used to interpret human settlements.

Urban health: an ecological perspective

At the Second European Conference on Environment and Health held in Helsinki in June 1994, urban health was attributed a high priority. This decision by the Ministers of Environment and Health from European countries reflects and reinforces a growing worldwide concern in the 1990s about the health status of residents of urban areas in all continents. The reasons for this concern include the rapid rate of urbanization and the increasing number of environmental, economic, and social problems, which have a negative impact on health and well-being in cities. This review presents a theoretical and methodological framework for the study of this vast and complex subject area. The paper proposes and illustrates an ecological perspective by discussing housing conditions and homelessness, as well as the concentration of poverty and deprivation in precise neighborhoods. To promote health and well-being more effectively, the ecological perspective presented in this paper can be applied by public health officers, by urban planners, and by policy decision-makers at national and local levels to promote our understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of health disorders of citizens. This approach should be a high priority for the beginning of the 21st century.

Healthy Cities in a global and regional context

Since the beginning of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network in 1987, the global and regional contexts for the promotion of health and well-being have changed in many ways. First, in 2000, the United Nations Millennium Goals explicitly and implicitly addressed health promotion and prevention at the global and regional levels. Second, the concern for sustainable development at the Rio Conference in 1992 was confirmed at the World Summit in Johannesburg in 2002. During the same period, in many regions including Europe, the redefinition of the roles and responsibilities of national, regional and local governments, reductions in budgets of public administrations, the privatization of community and health services, the instability of world trade, the financial system and employment, migration flows, relatively high levels of unemployment (especially among youth and young adults) have occurred in many countries in tandem with negative impacts on specific policies and programmes that are meant to promote health. Since 1990, the European Commission has been explicitly concerned about the promotion of health, environment and social policies by defining strategic agendas for the urban environment, sustainable development and governance. However, empirical studies during the 1990s show that urban areas have relatively high levels of tuberculosis, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, adult obesity, malnutrition, tobacco smoking, poor mental health, alcohol consumption and drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS), crime, homicide, violence and accidental injury and death. In addition, there is evidence that urban populations in many industrialized countries are confronted with acute new health problems stemming from exposure to persistent organic pollutants, toxic substances in building structures, radioactive waste and increasing rates of food poisoning. These threats to public health indicate an urgent need for new strategic policies and research agendas that address the complex interrelations between urban ecosystems, sustainable development, human health and well-being. The WHO Healthy Cities project is one important vector for achieving this objective at both global and regional levels.

Housing and Health: Beyond Disciplinary Confinement

There is a need for innovative research on housing and health. In contrast to traditional disciplinary studies, which are sector-based, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary contributions offer a broader approach. Interdisciplinary approaches highlight the difference between a biomedical model that often adopts a symptom-treatment interpretation of housing and health and a holistic or integrated model that combines biological, cultural, economic, political, psychological and social factors in a new way. This article illustrates the pertinence of interdisciplinary contributions to develop a more holistic understanding of housing density and how it can be interpreted to understand the complex relationship between housing conditions and health status.

Architectural design tools: simulation, communication and negotiation

The professional roles and functions of architects are linked to the societal context in which they practice. Furthermore, this context has a relationship to the ways in which institutions, groups and individuals are involved in the design and construction of the built environment. This paper illustrates how the roles and functions of architects, other professionals, their clients and the general public have a bearing on the tools and methods used to simulate design projects. Traditionally, sketches, renderings and pattern books were used. Then they were supplemented by axonometric and perspective drawings, written and diagrammatic specifications, photographs and smallscale models. In recent decades mathematical models of diverse kinds, simulation gaming techniques, including smalland full-scale modelling kits, as well as computer-aided design and drafting systems have been used. This paper presents a brief typology of these tools and an overview of their characteristics. Finally, five principles are presented for the application of tools using an integrative approach.

A More Humane History of Homes

This chapter discusses theoretical and methodological principles with respect to the analysis of home environments. It defines and illustrates those principles that form the nucleus of an analytical method that employs an historical or temporal perspective. I believe that this approach can enrich our comprehension of domestic environments.