Project
Space for loneliness
Two in five Dutch people experience loneliness. This feeling is shaped not only by personal characteristics and social networks, but also by the design of the built environment in which we live, work and recreate. In this project, we collaborate with residents of Eindhoven and creative professionals to develop design principles for (public) spaces that reduce loneliness and where people feel comfortable.
In the Space for Loneliness project, we explore what kinds of environments people are drawn to when they feel lonely. The project focuses on developing design principles for loneliness-friendly environments.
About the project
Many people experience loneliness. Loneliness has a serious impact on health that is comparable to the damage caused by smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. It must therefore be addressed urgently. One way to do this is by developing loneliness-friendly environments. The environment in which we live, work and spend our leisure time influences loneliness. For example, we know that loneliness is related to the presence of green spaces, pedestrian-friendliness, housing quality, the availability of amenities, the socioeconomic status of the neighbourhood, safety, social cohesion and urban density.
In this project, we collaborate with residents and designers to develop spatial interventions that help reduce or alleviate feelings of loneliness. Through co-design workshops with groups of Eindhoven residents, we will design and visualize environments they are drawn to when they feel lonely .. Together with creative professionals, the results of the workshops will be translated into concrete design principles for loneliness-friendly (public) spaces.
The central question of this project is:
Which spatial interventions in the living environment contribute to alleviating feelings of loneliness?
Project Goals
The objectives of this project are:
In co-design workshops with residents, design and visualize environments that they enjoy visiting when feeling lonely. We focus on two vulnerable groups of residents in Eindhoven: residents with a low socioeconomic status and international knowledge workers.
Translate the results of the workshops, together with professionals, into concrete design principles for (public) spaces that reduce loneliness or make it more bearable.
Translate the results into reports, presentations, and an exhibition with the aim of making a social and scientific impact.
Project duration
The research project runs from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.
Collaboration
The project is a collaboration between various research groups and areas of expertise within Fontys University of Applied Sciences:
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Partners
We also closely collaborate with external partners:
This project is co-financed by Regieorgaan SIA, part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
News
Here you can find the latest news regarding the Project 'Space for loneliness'.
September 21 2026 - Publication 'SPACE FOR LONELINESS. Design guidelines for loneliness-friendly environments.'
How can we design loneliness-friendly environments?
Loneliness is a growing societal issue. It is not only an individual social challenge, but also a spatial issue.
We have investigated how the physical living environment relates to feelings of loneliness, and what kinds of places people find pleasant when they feel lonely. Our research shows that people have diverse needs during moments of loneliness. Sometimes they need social contact; at other times, they need a sense of connection without social obligation, distraction, or rest, recovery, and reflection.
Loneliness therefore requires not only places for meeting, but an environment that accommodates various social and spatial needs.
In this manual, we translate these insights into design guidelines for loneliness-friendly environments.
The manual is structured around four spatial perspectives:
- Space for social proximity
- Space for connection
- Space for distraction
- Space for recovery and reflection
An underlying condition is: having the space to exist.
Each of the four perspectives consists of three spatial strategies with accompanying design guidelines that have been tested and refined with professionals. Each strategy is illustrated with reference images from diverse spatial contexts.
We hope that this publication inspires designers, policymakers, housing associations, municipalities, and other professionals to approach loneliness not only as a social or individual challenge, but also as a spatial challenge.
Link to publication: Ruimte
voor eenzaamheid: Ontwerprichtlijnen voor eenzaamheidsvriendelijke omgevingen -
Fontys Hogeschool
Contact
Are you interested in participating or learning more about this project? Please contact us. Together, we can combat loneliness and create environments where everyone feels at home!
e.dekort@fontys.nl
+31 88 50 88330
Eric Schoenmakers
e.schoenmakers@fontys.nl
+31 88 50 82778
Pauline van den Berg
p.vandenberg@fontys.nl
+31 88 50 85257