Residential and Suburban Environments: Behavior & Well-Being

Person–environment congruence in homes

Spaces that facilitate the behaviors & goals of the residents, improving psychological well-being

Place attachment

An emotional bond to a location, comprising place identity (meaning) and place dependence (function)

Place dependence (functional, utility-driven) + place identity (emotional, symbolic, & identity-defining)

Propinquity and social interaction

The tendency for people to form friendships with those they encounter often (physical proximity)

Suburbanization and its motivations and consequences

Post-WWII movement driven by the American Dream of homeownership, safety, & separation from urban density

Built environments and active living

The design of neighborhoods (sidewalks, density) either encourages or hinders physical activity

Ownership and identity

Having control over a space, closely linked to territoriality

Place Identity: how people define themselves through their relationship with a specific environment (incorporate characteristics of place into self-concept)

Functional distance

Refers to how paths cross (mailboxes & stairwells), dictating social interaction

Physical distance

Distance measured in feet

Sprawl

Rapid, unrestricted, & low-density expansion of residential & commercial development (automobiles & lack of walkability)

Reduces: open space & ecological sensitive areas, physical activity, & community & social bonding

Increases: air pollution & flooding risk, energy consumption, & economic & racial segregation

Smart Growth

An approach to development & land-use planning that encourages compact, walkable, & sustainable communities while protecting natural resources

Initiatives & policies to reduce sprawl

New Urbanism

Design-oriented efforts include sidewalks for walkability, variety of housing styles for different groups & ages, mixed-use development, & opportunities for public transit

Walkability

The extent to which the built & social environment encourages, supports, & facilitates walking as a primary mode of transportation, recreation, or daily activity

Beyond infrastructure (sidewalks), how people perceive & experience their surroundings

How accessible, welcoming, convenient, & safe?

Environmental justice

Ensuring fair treatment in the development & enforcement of environmental laws

Social segregation

Suburbanization often creates economic & racial barriers, isolating different populations

Active living

Lifestyle approach that integrates physical activity into daily routines (walking, cycling) by designing supportive, sustainable environments

Focuses on modifying urban landscapes, workplaces, & homes to encourage movement

Residential environments: design interventions (parks, transit, & streetscapes) can elevate for the effectiveness

Children need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day; adults need 150+ minutes a week

How suburbs developed historically

Era 1: early exclusive residential suburbs, industrialization -> more people in cities -> worse living conditions (poor air quality, water, waste management)

• Attention Restoration Theory: nature can have restorative effects (decrease stress, improve cognitive function, lessen anger, & boost mood & self-esteem)

Era 2: postwar suburbanization (Housing act, Federal Housing Administration, & 1944 GI Bill lead to increased availability of mortgages)

• Suburbs are design for cars; older adult assistance is challenging & not age-friendly

Era 3: 1980s and beyond

• Traditional suburbia (sprawl, exurbs, edge city, and edgeless cities)

Smart growth and new urbanism

Era 4?:

• Suburban populations are now less engages in the labor market, leading to declining household income and housing stock value that has not kept pace

Environmental criticisms of suburban sprawl

Reduces open space and ecologically sensitive areas, physical activity, and community ties and social bonding.

Degradation by destroying natural habitats, increasing reliance on vehicles, and escalating energy and water consumption.

Create unsustainable ecological footprints.

Social justice criticisms of suburbanization

Racial and economic segregation, environmental inequality, and social isolation.

Exclusive enclaves, enforced by redlining, exclusionary zoning, and violence.

Creating disparities in wealth accumulation, school quality, and public service.

How walkable environments influence health

Increasing daily physical activity and reducing chronic disease risks.

Lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure/cholesterol).

Boost mental health, encourage active transportation, and can add everyday physical activity to residents' routines.

Why place attachment contributes to well-being

The emotional, cognitive, and functional bond between people and their environments.

Enhances well-being by fostering a sense of belonging, security, and identity.

Reduces stress, regulates emotions, and boosts self-esteem.

Strengthens social capital and community cohesion.