The challenge

Researchers are becoming increasingly attuned to the intimate ties between housing and health, housing and thermal comfort, as well as health and thermal comfort. Achieving a balance between thermal comfort and energy conservation is particularly challenging in the adaptation of current or future housing. Residents may endure extended periods of uncomfortable and unhealthy thermal conditions without resorting to air conditioning when it is hot or inadequate heating when it is cold. 

Marginalized populations are more likely to experience negative health outcomes from poor housing conditions and relevant thermal discomfort such as exposure to poor construction type, indoor mould, inadequate heating/cooling, sanitation and plumbing, and scarce health-promoting resources at the neighbourhood level.  

Climate change poses huge challenges for housing adaptation and public health, in particular, creating homes that are ‘cool enough’ for increasingly hot summers is rarely considered in the Europe compared to ‘warm enough’. There is a need to systematically analyse housing, thermal comfort and health together under climate change and a just transition environment. 

What we're doing

We will conduct a systematic review of existing literature focusing on interrelations among housing, thermal comfort and health. The study will shed light on the disproportionate burden of poor housing conditions, related thermal discomfort and health in various climate zones across European countries. 

How it helps

A better understanding of the gaps and challenges will make it possible to advocate for equitable policies to address housing and thermal inequalities and promote better health outcomes for all.

Investigators

• Dr Lin Zhang, School of Geographical Sciences 
• Dr Tingting Zhang, Bristol Medical School 
• Dr Eunice Lo, School of Geographical Sciences 
• Dr Caitlin Robinson, School of Geographical Sciences