ABSTRACT
Chapter 7 is the first of our Domains of the Built Environment, heralding the book’s shift from behaviour to built form. Specifically, Chapter 7 examines the way residential spaces—our homes—shape our mental and physical health. At the heart of the chapter is a recognition that home is not only a built structure—it also has wide symbolic and ideological meaning. We explore the way the physical design of the home protects and promotes health through the provision of shelter from the elements, yet also concentrate on the health benefits of having a safe, secure and adequately sized home. The chapter concludes by looking at the way the location of the home relative to other activities, such as work, is an important determinant of health in Australia. This shapes the amount of time and energy we can dedicate to healthy practices, including physical activity and healthy eating.
