Creating Healthier Environments in the Rural Areas in the Northern regions of The Netherlands
Dr. Roya Shokoohi
Potentials
in the Northern region
• Beautiful wide landscapes
• Rich diversity in green and blue
• Lovely villages and hamlets
• Rich history
• 2021: Environmental Vision
• Not densely populated
• Demographic changes
• Faster ageing of the population
• Loss of facilities/amenities
• Decrease in accessibility
• Threats to social cohesion
GO! NOORD NEDERLAND
The main goal of the project :
In this project together with residents and local authorities, we are
exploring the impacts of demographic changes on quality of life in rural areas in the northern parts of the Netherlands.
GO! Method ( Is developed by RIVM, and tested in
urban areas)
The framework:
Attention points at provincial level based on the Environmental Vision
The environmental vision is an integral long-term vision of an administrative body for the entire physical living environment of its territory. For municipalities, the
environmental vision is one of the mandatory core instruments from the
Environment Act. The Environment Act is a major task for municipalities and the preparation for this is important.
• Effect of rapid ageing on healthy environment
• Socio-economic differences
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Social cohesion , lack of volunteers
• Traffic safety
• Facilities, Public transportation
• Environmental pollution ( noise, light & air, )
• Vibration due to traffic and trains, earthquake
• Increase in living alone
• Consequences of the climate change
Health and Lifestyle
• Physical health
• Mental health
• Healthy habits/behaviour
• Consequences digitization
• Differences in health
Active and Social
• Social Cohesion, social activation and loneliness
• Development number of volunteers and informal caregivers
• More supportive and facilitating policy needed
– Recruit and retain volunteers, and support caregivers (professional safety net)
– Residents’ initiatives
• Performanse orientation in society
– Lack of goal of ‘just being together’
• Inclusiveness for all groups
Safe and Clean
• Road/ infrastructure
• Earthquakes ( damage to buildings/mental health)
• Effects of digitization
Facilities and Public Space
• Lack of Facilities
• Living environment
• Distance to facilities, work/school
• Recreation
• Affordable houses/energy transition
Green spaces
• Add greenery while designing public spaces:
– More fruit trees
– More insect flowers to stimulate insect populations – Village gardens
– Community gardens
– Combination of greenery with nature playgrounds and outdoor sports
Air and Noise pollution
• Noise pollution and air pollution from traffic and wind turbines, industry,, use of wood-burning stoves, noise from trains, industry, traffic , etc..
Take-home message
Demographic changes has some negative impacts on quality of life of older population in rural areas.
It is important to discover the potentials, and challenges in living
environment which mobilise the local assets and resources and helps
local authorities and residents to work together to make their environments healthier , also it helps to improve social cohesion.
It is also important to pay attention to speciifc needs of older population while creating healthy environment to encourage them to get out of their home, interact with others that tackle loneliness.
THANK YOU
Roya Shokoohi
