bewoonbare

Bewoonbaar is a Dutch adjective meaning capable of being inhabited or lived in. It describes spaces or buildings that meet basic living standards and can accommodate occupants without immediate health or safety risks. In usage before feminine nouns, the form bewonbare is common, as in bewonbare woning.

The word derives from the verb bewonen (to inhabit) with the suffix -baar, indicating possibility. Related terms include bewoonbaarheid (livability or habitability) and onbewoonbaar (uninhabitable). In real estate and planning discourse, these terms help distinguish between spaces that can be safely occupied and those that cannot.

In practice, bewoonbaar status is determined by various criteria tied to safety, health, and comfort. Typical requirements include structural integrity, fire safety, reliable access to water and sanitation, adequate heating and insulation, proper ventilation, sufficient daylight, and reasonable room size and layout. Accessibility for people with disabilities and resilience to climate-related hazards are increasingly considered.

Regulatory contexts: Building codes, housing standards, and zoning regulations define minimum bewoonbaar conditions. Authorities may certify or declare a dwelling bewoonbaar or not, and property transactions often refer to bewoonbaarheid to indicate the suitability for habitation.

In Dutch discourse, bewoonbaar is a central concept in housing policy, urban renewal, and sustainable design, reflecting the aim to create safe, healthy, and durable living environments. The opposite, onbewoonbaar, denotes uninhabitable spaces that require alteration or demolition.