Elements of the built environment
The term ‘built environment’ refers to aspects of our surroundings that are built by humans, that is, distinguished from the natural environment. It includes not only buildings, but the human-made spaces between buildings, such as parks, and the infrastructure that supports human activity such as transportation networks, utilities networks, flood defences, telecommunications and so on.
For more information see: Built environment.
Below is a list of articles on Designing Buildings Wiki about elements of the built environment:
- Amberfield land.
- Areas of outstanding natural beauty.
- Asset of community value.
- Brownfield land.
- Bridleway.
- Common land.
- Conservation area.
- Contaminated land.
- Designated sites.
- Eco towns.
- Garden cities.
- Green belt.
- Green infrastructure.
- Greenfield land.
- Hazard warning surfaces.
- Highway.
- Housing zones.
- Infrastructure.
- Local green space.
- Local Nature Reserve.
- Megacity.
- Mixed use development.
- National Parks.
- National trail.
- Pavement.
- Pink zones.
- Public space.
- Scheduled monuments.
- Sites of special scientific interest.
- Smart cities.
- Types of building.
- Types of road and street.
- Village green.
- Windfall site.
- World heritage sites.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Some of the articles relating to water, here to browse. Any missing?
Recognisable Gothic characters, designed to dramatically spout water away from buildings.
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.


























