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Shelter for the twenty-first century
1Department of Environmental Science and Physiology, Harvard University, School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Future housing will adapt to societal shifts, including an aging population and home-based work. This requires careful consideration of materials, design, and potential health risks from chemical exposures for enhanced safety and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Sociology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Societal changes, including demographics and evolving home functions, are reshaping 21st-century housing.
- An aging population presents unique demands for housing design and function, with increased health concerns like chronic diseases and injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how demographic shifts and changing societal needs will influence housing design, materials, and function.
- To highlight potential health and safety challenges arising from chemical exposures in homes and the decentralization of work.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual analysis based on current societal trends and projections.
- It synthesizes information on demographic changes, material science, and the impact of technology on living and working spaces.
Main Results:
- Housing design must evolve to accommodate an aging population's specific needs and health considerations.
- The increasing use of new chemical formulations in home products poses risks of chronic, low-level exposures affecting immunologic and neurologic functions.
- The integration of work into residences due to technological advancements introduces new health and safety challenges.
Conclusions:
- Future housing requires a proactive approach to design and material selection, prioritizing occupant health and safety.
- Addressing potential health risks from indoor environmental quality and adapting to new functional uses of homes are critical for well-being.