ABSTRACT

Chapter 5 is about social isolation as a risk factor for ill health in Australia. A sense of support, community and belonging within the places where people live, work and travel is an influential determinant of mental and physical health. At the heart of notions such as community and belonging are social interactions. This chapter explores several tangible ways Australia’s built environments can support interactions, with a particular focus on incidental interactions. We emphasise the need to prioritise the provision of adequate spaces that are welcoming and open to the public and pay particular attention to the power of nature to inspire positive interactions.