A healthy living environment
A healthy and sustainable living environment for all is a core element of VITO's vision. Here, we focus on how to maintain a harmonious balance between the human environment, nature, agriculture, and industry.
We provide insights into living conditions that enhance the health and well-being of citizens. We demonstrate how to preserve clean air, water, and soil in densely populated environments, and ensure access to fossil-free, healthy, and comfortable housing in resilient living environments.
The harmful impact of substances
VITO conducts advanced research on the harmful impact of substances (substances of concern, nitrogen, etc.) on human and environmental health, including water, soil, and air quality. Our analysis of data from biomonitoring, samples, and behaviour provides insights into this impact, both at the individual and population levels. Through our continuous monitoring, we offer targeted policy advice on substances of concern and preventive healthcare. Human well-being comes first, in symbiosis with economic activity.
Using our space efficiently and sustainably
Additionally, we explore how to use our limited space in the most efficient and sustainable way for all sectors of society. The unique characteristics of Flanders, with its high economic activity and dense population in a small area, make it an ideal pilot environment to explore sustainable ways of combining housing, industry, agriculture, and mobility. These insights have global relevance. By combining our expertise in science, data, and AI, we can create a digital representation of the living environment that enables policymakers to predict and adjust the impact of future decisions.
Healthy and comfortable living
A final focus within this domain is to foster a healthy living environment that ensures a high level of citizen comfort. The research primarily focuses on solutions for the construction industry to make fossil-free, affordable, and healthy living in a climate-resilient environment accessible to all. Examples include circular building, energy-neutral living, sustainable water management, as well as health through optimal (indoor) air quality.
