Quality of Life

Wellbeing
Sectors	Wellbeing
Contact	Wilfred Pinfold
Topics	Age-Inclusive Communities Community Engagement Economic Development Education and Training Measurement Mental Health Physical Health Quality of Life
Activities A Perspective towards a New Normality and Working Conditions following COVID-19 After the first outbreak on COVID-19 in China, the spread to Europe and other continents, the WHO’s pandemic declaration, the already long duration of confinement conditions in some countries and the unknown effects on everybody’s life, we are yet to see the long effects of the pandemic evolution. Building Human Centered Smart City To deliver: BiiMe as the Digital ID to leverage with DLT Global roaming service based on the DID Increase the Data Liquidity, Data Integrity & Data privacy Complete Neighborhoods — Building a Healthy Connected City The goal of the Healthy Connected Neighbourhood Strategy is to bring complete neighbourhoods to 80% of the city’s population by 2035. The Strategy is integrated into the main Portland Plan, a comprehensive strategic plan to achieve urban equity and sustainability. Constituent-led Public Data and IoT Utility for Urban Health Housing and Environmental Hazard Management Objectives Build upon a Smart City blueprint, playbook, and coalition of Oakland communities to convene, share, and learn what’s possible with data, IoT, and Smart Cities then use that knowledge to co-create projects and programs germane to each constituency, micro-community, and individual sets of needs Leverage the coalitions to hunt and gather data for addition to a shared Public Data & IoT Utility to be operated and run as a shared data service for micro-communities to build political will, businesses to grow, and collective voice to be used to address micro- or meta-level risks and opportunities Leverage people, processes, and technology to collectively address issues of unsafe Bay Area Housing Environments to co-create inclusive solutions and investment opportunities to resolve the housing crisis and improve health region-wide Focus on short and long-term positive outcomes associated with sustainable Smart City solutions, and maintain a cadence of speed and success delivering projects to address current issues for constituents, businesses, and government agencies generated by past programs, policies, and investments like failing infrastructure, legacy lead poisoning, and institutionalized racism Smart Region Initiative Joint Venture Silicon Valley Joint Venture’s Smart Region Initiative is a coalition between local governments, businesses, and residents working together to improve quality of life in Silicon Valley through the targeted and holistic application of smart city technologies. The coalition builds on existing relationships with technology companies, academia, and local government leaders to drive a coordinated public-private sector effort, and mounts a highly strategic campaign to lead and transform Silicon Valley’s smart cities implementations at a regional scale. The Great Lakes Smart and Sustainable Cities Cluster The Council of Great Lakes Region (CGLR) Regional Action Cluster will address the United Nations’ seventeen Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) by consistently measuring sustainability at the neighborhood, city, state/provincial and regional levels. The cluster will also develop a framework to measure human well-being and ecosystem services by identifying bottom-up citizen co-creation actions taken across institutional boundaries. Open Action dashboards will display progress and link to knowledge achieving stated goals and objectives around the SDGs. UPsouth UPsouth a technology platform that supports Auckland Council connect with young citizens and empower them to become civic entrepreneurs. The Southern Initiative (TSI) is a place-based initiative in South Auckland, New Zealand, that aims to create a prosperous, resilient area where communities thrive. To deliver on its mission, TSI wanted a way to engage with young people in South Auckland. Itsnoon’s civic empowerment platform ‘UPsouth’ enabled young people, of Māori, Pasifika and other ethnic backgrounds, aged 15-24, generate thousands of thoughts, ideas and commentary on important local issues while earning micropayments for their contributions.

Authors

Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional concept that refers to the overall well-being and satisfaction of individuals with their lives.

It encompasses various aspects of an individual's life, including physical health, emotional well-being, social connections, work-life balance, financial security, and access to necessary resources and services.

QOL can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

• Physical Health: This includes factors such as access to healthcare, physical fitness, and chronic health conditions.
• Mental Health: This includes factors such as mental health, stress, and overall satisfaction with life.
• Community Engagement: This includes factors such as relationships, community involvement, and sense of belonging.
• Work-life balance: This includes factors such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, and financial stability.
• Access to resources and services: This includes factors such as education, housing, transportation, and access to basic needs like food and healthcare.

QOL can be measured through a variety of methods, including surveys, interviews, and standardized assessments. It is often used as a benchmark to compare the well-being of different groups, such as countries or regions, and to inform policy and decision-making. There are several ways to enhance the quality of life in cities, including:

• Improving transportation: Investing in public transportation, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure can make it easier for people to get around and reduce traffic congestion.
• Promoting walkability: Designing cities to be more walkable, with plenty of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly streets, can make it easier for people to get around and promote healthy activity.
• Encouraging green spaces: Providing access to green spaces, such as parks, gardens, and natural areas, can improve air and water quality, reduce heat island effects, and provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
• Improving housing affordability: Addressing the issue of affordable housing by building more affordable housing units and providing financial assistance to low-income families can help to ensure that everyone has access to a safe and decent place to live.
• Enhancing public safety: Implementing community policing programs, increasing patrols, and installing surveillance cameras can help to reduce crime and improve public safety.
• Supporting local businesses: Encouraging local businesses to open and thrive by reducing regulations, providing financial assistance, and promoting local products can help to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
• Creating a sense of community: Encouraging social interaction through community events, festivals, and public spaces can help to create a sense of community and reduce social isolation.
• Providing access to education and job training: Ensuring that residents have access to education and job training opportunities can help to improve economic mobility and reduce poverty.
• Improving air and water quality: Implementing policies and regulations that promote clean air and water can help to improve public health and the overall quality of life.
• Promoting sustainability: Encouraging the use of sustainable practices and technologies, such as renewable energy and green buildings, can help to reduce the environmental impact of cities and promote long-term sustainability.

In summary, enhancing the quality of life in cities requires a holistic approach that takes into consideration various aspects such as transportation, housing, safety, community, education, environment, and economy.