Claudia COSTA, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Ricardo ALMENDRA, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Dagmar DZÚROVÁ, Charles University, Czechia
Ângela FREITAS, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Adriana LOUREIRO, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Michala LUSTIGOVA, Charles University, Czechia
Miguel PADEIRO, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Ana SANTURTUN, University of Cantabria, Spain
Paula SANTANA, University of Coimbra, Portugal
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced thousands of people into at-home confinement, preventing them from venturing out for weeks on end. Thus, housing conditions and access to local amenities became increasingly important to cope with the COVID-19 control measures in place and as major health determinants.
An international survey was implemented from April 15 to December 31, 2020, to collect data from residents in European countries aged 18 and over. A total of 4467 people answered the survey; 69% were women, 48% from 31 to 50 years of age, and 44% were living in big cities. The aim of this presentation is to identify differences in well-being that might be explained by examining the housing conditions in which individuals spent the several lockdown periods.
The analysis of the data suggests that people living in houses with good thermal and acoustic isolation, with balconies or access to a private outdoor space, such as a garden or a backyard, or a public green park or sidewalk nearby, were better prepared to face the challenges of the lock-down and revealed lower level of anxiety. Conversely, those living in houses with poorer conditions revealed higher levels of claustrophobia (43%), anxiety (44%), and sleep problems (37%). The lack of access to green spaces close to one’s residence also seems to increase the feeling of claustrophobia (56%), especially in big cities (60%). Moreover, people living in big cities reveal higher rates of people stopping the practice of physical activity (27%) and greater difficulty in reaching a green space to practice physical activity (44%).
This study provides useful insights for policymakers and urban planners, as well as into architectures, for a deeper understanding of how housing conditions can help enable people or indeed hinder them from coping with the consequences of a lockdown, with a view to better prepare our cities for future pandemics.
Mots clés : COVID-19|Housing Conditions|Local Amenities|Lockdown|European Union
A105552CC