The concept of well-being is a highly complex, multi-dimensional problem, explored within a wide range of interacting factors that relate to the environment, the population and external stimuli. The project aims to investigate the definition, analysis and modelling of citizen well-being within the experience of Castle Vale using a systems approach. This will be done by grounding research in a case study site with sophisticated, accessible but complex data and with Parallel investigation of well-being concepts, definitions and practice within the key fields of health and the urban environment/landscape.

The framework for investigation involves the conceptualisation of the Castle Vale area as a ‘home environment’. This is defined as the area/environment that contains and supports the activities of the local population associated with their everyday leisure time/relaxation and related home activities. In Castle Vale, it is indicated that user/environment induces a positive outcome contributing to high levels of well-being. Investigation of how such user/environment interaction occurs to obtain and maintain well-being, can be further conceptualised as a functioning system, akin to maintaining homeostasis within an organism. Using homeostasis as a broad metaphor a range of questions arise regarding the processes that need to operate. At the moment, the extent to which these processes can be modelled is unclear.