Housing, the Built Environment, and the Good Life

At any age, the pursuit of a good life is easier in a physical environment that promotes health, supports activities important to self-fulfillment, and facilitates connections to the larger community. In old age, the home and neighborhood environments are particularly important: they are the locations where older people spend most their time, and they can have a great impact on independence, social connection, feelings of self-worth, and physical and emotional well-being. Within the urban planning field, home and neighborhood characteristics are important dimensions of debates about the measurement of human progress and quality of life, particularly as an alternative to purely economic measures. They are also key issues in public health, particularly as they relate to physical, social, and mental well-being. Here, we focus on how to improve the fit of environments for people as they age.