IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

Background: Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a phenomenon shaped not only by individual characteristics, but also by structural and environmental features of the places people live. The term “lonelygenic environments” refers to neighbourhoods whose social or physical composition may foster or exacerbate loneliness. This study develops a typology of such at-risk neighbourhoods in Flanders. Methods: A population survey among 3,756 adults (18+) in the Flemish region (Belgium) measured multiple forms of loneliness—general, social, emotional, and existential—alongside indicators of neighbourhood perception, social relations, and personal characteristics. These data were linked to detailed objective indicators of neighbourhood context (e.g. population density, deprivation, access to green space and services) at the lowest available spatial levels. Latent factor and cluster analyses were used to identify meaningful patterns and groupings of neighbourhoods in relation to loneliness. Preliminary Results: Preliminary analyses reveal distinct clusters of neighbourhoods with different constellations of structural features associated with elevated loneliness risk. These clusters suggest that certain neighbourhood environments may systematically limit opportunities for connection, giving rise to specific loneliness profiles. Conclusions: The findings provide initial evidence for the presence of “lonelygenic environments” in Flanders. Recognising such environments can inform more spatially attuned approaches to loneliness prevention and policy. Key messages: • Loneliness is partly shaped by the social and physical characteristics of neighbourhoods. • Distinct at-risk neighbourhood types are emerging based on structural features.