Movement legacy: a bioethical and epigenetically grounded architectural framework for healthy lifestyle change

Abstract

New research in neuroscience, environmental psychology, and medicine have revealed factors in the built environment that improve health, however, these are not yet widely understood or adopted by the design community. A novel approach that better leverages the scientific literature to inform design is required. Recent discoveries in epigenetics reveal the immense impact our environment has on intergenerational human health through the process of epigenomic editing and the resultant genetic expression. This thesis argues that design and health are inextricably linked to bioethical questions that require deeper exploration and ought to compel designers to reframe their role and responsibility in community health. A new theoretical framework is developed that aligns design elements at multiple scales with evidence-based principles, which elicit positive health outcomes through increased physical activity prevalence. Informed by the framework, a network of design interventions for Sudbury, Ontario, demonstrates how the built environment can foster healthy lifestyle change.