Quality of Life and Happiness

Measuring and analysing the factors that affect the Quality of Life (QoL) and happiness in cities and regions has long been the subject of theoretical and empirical work in a wide range of fields. Previous studies involved traditional objective indicators of quality of life as well as more subjective measures of well-being, drawing on the emerging new science of happiness. Research in this topic area adds a geographical dimension to these studies, addressing questions such as: Does geography matter when it comes to QoL and happiness? To what extent does where we live affect how we feel and why? Research in this topic considers the importance of space and place for happiness and of relevant geographical (e.g. climate, physical environment, natural amenities) and socio-economic contextual factors (e.g. social cohesion, social capital), with a particular emphasis on the impact of social and spatial inequalities and social justice.

People

• Dimitris Ballas (coordinator)
• Aleid Brouwer
• Arjen Edzes
• Arno van der Vlist
• Bettina van Hoven
• Frans Sijtsma
• Hinke Haisma
• Louise Meijering
• Sierdjan Koster
• Tess Osborne