The built environment includes man-made structures and infrastructures, and must be functional and healthy for all. Human behavior experts and urban planners work to discover the most positive use of space. There are concerns about the health impact on people, especially in low-income areas. Sustainability is a recent concern, with green energy sources and building materials being used more than ever. The city of Greensburg, Kansas, was rebuilt using sustainable materials and energy-efficient sources, becoming known as the “greenest city in America.”
The term built environment refers to man-made structures and infrastructures. This can include anything from simple homes to entire cities and even man-made outdoor environments. Built environments provide the basic necessities for human life as we know it, and therefore must be functional and healthy for all. Finding this balance is a complicated and challenging process that is constantly being perfected.
A built environment includes all structures created by people, including infrastructure elements such as roads, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, electric and other utilities. Human behavior experts and urban planners work to discover the most positive use of space for people. Even a single building can be studied for its effectiveness. Commercial building projects are constantly changing layouts to better suit the business that takes place within the walls.
There are serious concerns about the health impact a built environment has on people. Studies have shown that people, especially those in low-income areas, can be negatively impacted by their built environment. Healthy living advocates point to lack of adequate exercise spaces and healthy eating facilities as some of the main reasons people in low-income areas have poor health. Independent civic groups often study particular areas and implement changes in the environment to encourage a more well-rounded community.
A built environment can also be a human-manipulated outdoor space. Community parks and other engineered open spaces are examples of outdoor locations that are considered built environments. There is a difficult balance between preserving space and making it usable for people, especially tourists in large national parks. Some naturalists wish to keep the land as it is, without adding additional trails or other features to the areas. The overall result is that most of the large parks have places designated for tourism, while other areas remain untouched.
Sustainability is one of the more recent concerns when planning a new environment or updating an old one. Green energy sources and building materials are being used more than ever. An example of this is the city of Greensburg, Kansas, which was destroyed by a tornado in 2007. The city was rebuilt using sustainable materials and energy-efficient energy sources. It has become known as the “greenest city in America.” Communities that undergo greening like this serve as social experiments in built environments that function positively.
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