15. A Good Built Environment

Cities, towns and other built-up areas must provide a good, healthy living environment and contribute to a good regional and global environment. Natural and cultural assets must be protected and developed. Buildings and amenities must be located and designed in accordance with sound environmental principles and in such a way as to promote sustainable management of land, water and other resources.

This objective is intended to be achieved within one generation.

The outcome within a generation for this environmental quality objective should include the following:

• The built environment will provide aesthetic experiences and well-being and offer a wide range of housing, workplaces, services and cultural activities that give everybody the opportunity to live a full and stimulating life, while reducing everyday transport needs.
• The cultural, historical and architectural heritage in the form of buildings and built environments, as well as places and landscapes of special value, will be protected and enhanced.
• A sustainable urban structure will be developed, in connection both with the siting of new buildings, structures and industries and with the use, management and conversion of existing buildings.
• The living and leisure environment, and wherever possible the work environment, will meet society's requirements in terms of design, freedom from noise and access to sunlight, clean water and clean air.
• Areas of unspoiled nature and green spaces close to built-up areas, which will be easily accessible, will be protected in order to meet the need for play, recreation, local cultivation and a healthy local climate.
• Biodiversity will be preserved and enhanced.
• Transport services and facilities will be located and designed in such a way as to limit interference with the urban or cultural environment and so as not to pose health or safety risks or be otherwise detrimental to the environment.
• Environmentally sound, good-quality public transport systems will be available, and there will be ample facilities for safe pedestrian and cycle traffic.
• People will not be exposed to harmful air pollutants, noise disturbance, harmful radon levels or other unacceptable risks to health or safety.
• Land and water areas will be free from toxic and dangerous substances and other pollutants.
• The use of energy, water and other natural resources will be efficient, resourcesaving and environmentally sound, and will be reduced in the long term; the preferred energy sources will be renewable.
• The share of energy from renewable sources will have increased and this energy will, in the long term, account for most of the supply.
• Natural gravel will be used only where it is not possible to use substitutes in specific applications.
• Deposits of natural gravel that are of great value for the drinking water supply and the natural and cultural landscape will be conserved.
• The total quantity and hazardousness of waste will be decreasing.
• Wastes and residues will be separated so that they can be treated in accordance with their properties and recycled on a cooperative basis by urban areas and the surrounding rural areas.