Leefbaarheids

Leefbaarheids, usually rendered as livability in English, is a Dutch term that denotes the overall quality of life of a place from the perspective of its residents. The concept encompasses both physical conditions and the social environment that affect daily life. Key dimensions include safety and perceived security, housing quality and affordability, access to services (healthcare, education, childcare), employment opportunities, green and public spaces, mobility and accessibility, noise and air quality, and social cohesion.

In urban planning and local governance, leefbaarheids is used to assess neighborhoods and municipalities and to guide policy. It is often operationalized through leefbaarheidsindicatoren or livability indices, based on data such as crime statistics, unemployment, housing vacancy, green space per capita, accessibility to transit, school performance, and resident satisfaction surveys. Public participation is frequently emphasized, with residents contributing to priorities and action plans.

Policy uses range from safety and crime prevention to housing, infrastructure, green space investments, traffic management, and community programs intended to strengthen social ties. The term is common in Dutch political discourse, where parties and municipal administrations frame decisions in terms of improving livability.

Critiques note that leefbaarheids is a broad, partly subjective concept, and comparisons across places can be challenging due to differing methodologies and resident expectations.

Examples: Many Dutch cities publish annual leefbaarheids monitors to track progress.