What would urban development look like if we put health first? - Together with the province of South Holland, we explored this question in 2023. Through design research in the Sterrenburg district of Dordrecht, we came to a surprising conclusion: we would design almost "reverse". Not from quantity, but from the networks and layers that contribute the most to positive health - and at the same time take the most time to grow: the green-blue network and social connections.
Starting from these slow layers requires a different approach than we are used to. People are similar to trees in this respect. Both need time to develop roots and grow together. So start with quality and a healthy living environment, rather than just quantity of housing. Our research shows that this not only leads to healthier living, but can even create more housing than current plans provide.
Healthier living and more living space in the same area: you can do both.
How can health set the course for the development of a new municipality? This question is central to the municipality of Dijk en Waard, formerly the separate municipalities of Langedijk and Heerhugowaard, and now with 90,000 inhabitants on its way to 100,000. At the end of 2022, together with Berenike van Lohuizen and her team, we started an expedition: "How do we create an ambitious environmental vision for this new municipality, where we actually make spatial decisions and choose a strong, new course? In this episode, we talk to alderman Nils Langedijk and area developer Berenike van Lohuizen about their experiences and the role of health as a driver for change. Please note that this podcast is in Dutch.
Why are nature-inclusive cities so important for our health? High biodiversity in a city results in a wide range of microorganisms. This diversity contributes to the development of healthy microbiomes in us as residents. Human microbiomes are communities of microorganisms, such as bacteria, found on our skin and in our gut. The composition of these microbiomes affects our overall health.
A city that incorporates nature leads to greater biodiversity, resulting in a wider range of microorganisms. This diversity is not only found in the soil and green spaces, but also in our bodies. A diverse microbiome is the foundation of a functioning immune system and our overall health. It increases our body's resilience and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like asthma and allergies, as well as acute infections like the flu.
Unfortunately, our microbiome is not doing well today. Because of the declining biodiversity in which we live, the microbiomes in our bodies are becoming poorer. This makes them less able to protect us from disease.
Making the Netherlands a little more liveable by providing affordable housing for young and old is what drives Amanda Schiltmans-Molter. She is the creator and initiator of the innovative housing concept Duo-Living. In 2019, she founded Stichting Statiegeld op Jeugd (literally translated as ‘Deposit on Youth Foundation’) to work on this challenge and offer a concrete solution.
What exactly is Duo-Living? Duo-Living allows seniors to live independently for longer in their rental or owner-occupied homes by structurally splitting the homes; creating two independent homes. This makes better use of the current housing stock. Downstairs, the senior lives entirely on the ground floor, equipped with his or her own facilities. Upstairs, a unit of +/- 50 m2 is created, with its own facilities and entrance, where a young adult lives, who also provides assistance to the senior.
Curious about new perspectives on healthy urban development? In March, we are organizing an event with Pakhuis de Zwijger to spotlight innovative thinkers, doers and inspiring initiatives.
What's next?
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