How we feel, live and work is influenced by our built and natural environment. This includes housing, energy and digital connectivity.
The Centre contributed to the study of the relationship between infrastructure and wellbeing. National Infrastructure Commission’s Quality of Life Discussion Paper. We shared our knowledge of how policy areas and sectors can affect national wellbeing as part of the advisory group. This was based on our sector expertise and evidence reviews.
Nancy Hey, Executive Director of the National Wellness Foundation, takes us through this paper and explains how frameworks for wellbeing can be used to maximize impact on national wellbeing.
It is available in its Discussion paperThe Commission defines quality life as “how happy or satisfied people feel about their lives.” This encompasses a variety of interrelated factors that operate at all levels, including the community, national, and individual.
Framework for measuring quality of life
The Commission decided to evaluate its impact on multiple domains, as the relationship between infrastructure and quality life is intangible (figure 1).
Figure 1: The impact of the Commission’s recommendations. Source: National Infrastructure Commission, Quality of Life discussion paper
It has created a framework to map the outcomes of six of the 10 domains it has derived from the. ONS Dashboard for Measures of National Wellbeing, Concentrating on domains directly related to infrastructure (table 1)
Table 1: Quality of Life Domains of the Commission. Source: National Infrastructure Commission, Quality of Life Discussion Paper
This framework will be applied by the Commission to all its future activities, including the second. National Infrastructure Assessment This is expected to be completed in autumn 2023.
It is possible to measure outcomes across multiple domains and understand how activity contributes towards national wellbeing. This is how we can help you understand the impact of activity on national wellbeing. Collaborate with local authorities to create local wellbeing frameworks Joanne Smithson, our Head of Implementation and Learning will lead the effort to create policies that maximize wellbeing.
Find out how to The Outcomes Measurement Framework for Canal & River Trust and Report It uses a similar framework and approach to create a solid evidence base and determine the positive impacts of its waterways on people and communities.
The key findings
Different ways infrastructure impacts the quality of life in Britain
- The variation in the provision of services and the resilience to hazards are factors that contribute to variations in the quality of life in the UK. Access to clean water and health services, for example, is a key driver of physical well-being.
- Good urban design and access to green spaces can all help improve the environment.
- Poorly designed infrastructure can have negative effects on quality of life.
According to the The Happiness Index, UK areas with lower populations are associated with greater life satisfaction. Quarterly Wellbeing Estimates from ONS.
The Commission believes that improving quality of life means maximizing the benefits of infrastructure use and minimising its negative effects. This work is in line with the Levelling Up programme of the UK Government and aligns with the Commission’s goal to support sustainable economic growth in all regions of the UK.
Resilience: What is its role?
The Office for National Statistics’ definitions of well-being, which are used in the UK’s national wellbeing framework, include not only how we are doing, but also how sustainable it is. [wellbeing] It is for the future.”
The following are the results. Capacity to overcome or recover from difficulties National wellbeing is dependent on it. This means that the Commission must design effective regulations and policies to ensure that infrastructure sectors are prepared for an uncertain future.
There are two ways to think about resilience:
- Everyday resilience – Short term events such as delays or cancellations in public transport that pose a temporary threat to people’s experience.
- Serious resilience is the ability to withstand large-scale events such as floods that can have long-lasting and significant impacts on your mental and physical health.
The Commission can increase the quality of people’s lives by fostering both resilience and infrastructure.
This is an example of such a strategy. Anglian Water’s assessment of flooding and roadworks impacts. These incidents were evaluated for their impact on customer subjective well-being. The estimates were then assigned a monetary value in order to validate and compare them with industry measures. This was part of a cost benefit analysis that will guide the company’s investment planning.
Do you want to learn more?
The Commission considers quality of life objectively as well subjectively.
- Explore our site to see where and how people live, work and play. Here are some insights into what works to support workplace wellness.
- Read our review of the Physical and Mental Health. Impact of dance and sport participation on youth’s well-beingExplore our website by clicking here Project to collect the best practices for student mental health support.
- Learn more about relationships with family members and friends The impact of social relationships on wellbeing The Community infrastructure plays a vital role in the community’s value and success. In our relationships and in our lives.
- Cultural and social norms
- See our chart to see how much control people have over their everyday lives. Coming review How and to what extent community wellbeing is improved when people exercise control and agency.
Quality of life can be described as being happy and functioning well.
What can you do next
- Check out the National Infrastructure Commission’s website. Full Quality of Life Discussion Paper.
- Learn more about us Project update on Places, Spaces, and Social Connections This has been updated Popular review starting in 2018To further strengthen the evidence base on the effects of social infrastructure on wellbeing, we will be adding evidence from the last five years. Check out the blog that summarizes our latest findings.
- Explore the Covid.WIRED toolkitThis database contains 400+ research results that show which areas of life were most severely affected by the pandemic and which people have been most directly affected. This database is organized around six domains that measure subjective wellbeing, and it also highlights inequalities in wellbeing.
- Joanne Smithson is our Head of Implementation & Learning. Collaborate with local authorities to assess the effect of policies on well-beingTo create wellbeing frameworks in local communities.
- Check out our report on putting Policy should be based on evidence of wellbeing Which factors are most important.
- Use the Green Book guidance In policy making, appraisal, and business cases.