Quality of Life in a Changing World: Collection of Abstracts

What defines quality of life? Is it health and the absence of illness? Strong relationships with friends and family? Spirituality and faith? A peaceful, prosperous country with a robust welfare system? Or perhaps the environments we inhabit: well-designed homes, green and blue infrastructure, a circular economy, and unpolluted surroundings? Quality of life is a complex, multifaceted concept that cannot be confined to a single definition. Addressing it holistically calls for a multidisciplinary approach. This summer school focuses on the spatial dimensions of quality of life. Scholars from across Europe and the USA have gathered to explore key themes, including: equality and inclusivity, urban and rural well-being, healthy digital environments, planning liveable environments, sense of place, technolohy and climate action. These themes reflect the changing realities of our world—urban and rural transformations, demographic shifts, digital evolution, and climate change. Each contribution in this collection offers unique insights into how space and place shape our experiences and aspirations for a better life. In a world of constant change, the quality of life is not a static ideal—but a moving target, shaped by where we are, how we live, and what we value. This volume invites you to reflect, rethink, and reimagine the spaces where life unfolds.