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
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.