The environmental quality objective A Good Built Environment aims to ensure that:
– settlement structures that are sustainable in the long term have been developed both when siting new buildings, facilities and enterprises, and when using, administering, and converting existing built environments, at the same time as buildings are sustainably designed,
– cities and other urban areas, and the connection between urban and rural areas, are planned on the basis of a coherent and sustainable approach to social, economic, environmental, and health-related issues,
– infrastructure for energy systems, transport, waste management, water supplies, and sewage systems is integrated into urban and other physical planning, and the siting and design of infrastructure are adapted to people’s needs, in order to reduce resource and energy use and climate impact, while taking into account natural and cultural heritage, aesthetics, health, and safety,
– public transport systems are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and accessible, and attractive, safe and efficient pedestrian, and cycle paths are available,
– there are good-quality and accessible natural areas and green spaces and corridors close to built environments,
– the cultural, historical, and architectural heritage in the form of valuable buildings and built environments, as well as sites and landscapes, are preserved, used and developed,
– the built environment is based on and supports people’s needs, facilitates experiences of beauty and pleasure, and offers a varied range of housing, workplaces, services, and culture,
– people are not exposed to harmful air pollution, chemical substances, high noise levels, radon concentrations, or other unacceptable health or safety risks,
– energy, land, water and other natural resources are used in an efficient, resource-saving and environmentally-friendly manner aiming to minimize their use and primarily choose renewable energy sources and
– waste management is efficient for society and easily used by consumers, waste is diminished, while the resources in waste are better used, and the impact of waste on health and environment are minimized.