Healthy living in Europe’s suburbs is a pipe dream and EU legislators need to wake up fast

(EurActiv, 5 Oct 2018) If European building directives are not implemented via national legislation, the people living in Europe’s old suburbs will suffer by paying a price that can’t be measured – namely their health, says Ingrid Reumert.

Ingrid Reumert is Vice President of Global Communications, Sustainability & Public Affairs in the VELUX Group.

In far too many cases, the dream of a better life in the suburbs is an illusion as living in Europe’s aging building stock can have negative health consequences. There is need for change through building legislation in each EU Member State to improve the situation. Fortunately, there are signs that legislators might soon wake up to the challenge, especially if they heed the recent advice of European Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete.

“People’s health, wellbeing and productivity must be a core priority alongside building performance,” said Commissioner Cañete in an evening debate at the European Parliament last week.

The topic of the debate, hosted by Bendt Bendtsen, Member of the European Parliament (EPP, DK) and a key driver of revisions to the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) was ‘Energy efficiency & healthy buildings – How to ensure lasting implementation’. (The directive highlights the importance of good indoor environments as well as increased energy efficiency in buildings.)

Europeans on the move

Many Europeans, like other citizens in the Western world, tend to move to the suburbs when they reach a certain stage in their life. It typically happens around the time of starting a family and in the pursuit of more space, less costs, proximity to green areas and an abundance of fresh air. From 1961 to 2011, Europe’s suburbs grew 54 percent faster than urban areas, which in the age of Urbanisation, is a fact unknown to many.

The dream is that by moving to the suburbs of Europe, people will get a better quality of life, or healthier lifestyle. The reality is that in many cases it’s a pipe dream and unless more of the old buildings are brought up to standard then it may not be worth pursuing. And that’s precisely why there’s a great need for thorough national implementation of the EPBD based on clear guidance from the European Commission.

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EurActiv, 5 Oct 2018: Healthy living in Europe’s suburbs is a pipe dream and EU legislators need to wake up fast