Built Environment

The built environment comprises the human-made surroundings where people live, work, play, and interact with each other. The way buildings, cities, and infrastructure are designed and constructed all have significant impacts on public health. The impacts include:

• asthma
• injury
• violence
• healthy and unhealthy food consumption
• mental health
• social capital¹

Buildings can help to shield their occupants from environmental exposures such as poor air quality from pollution, wildfires, and extreme heat, but can also be the source of toxic exposures. Research in the Department of Environmental Health examines how exposures to indoor pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFAS/forever chemicals, asbestos, and lead, as well as pathogens, molds, fungi, and other toxins, affect long-term health. Our researchers are also investigating how to mitigate these exposures through improved air filtration, ventilation, and building designs.  

In addition, the way cities and structures are built and designed can have a significant impact on their surroundings, through energy consumption, storm runoff, carbon and heat emissions, and more.  Thoughtfully designed cities and buildings can actually increase beneficial exposures, such as access to greenspace, healthy foods, and improved physical activity. 

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¹ Jackson RJ. The impact of the built environment on health: an emerging field. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(9):1382–1384. https://doi.org/10.2105/ AJPH.93.9.1382