With 'A Lonely Planet', we not only acquire innovative scientific insights but we also create evidence-based tools that translate research findings into user-friendly and practice-oriented tools. With these tools, we try to reach different stakeholders including local governments, professionals, policymakers, local residents, urban planners, knowledge institutions and local service centres.
Discover which tools we develop with 'A Lonely Planet'.
Series: Loneliness in Flanders
The series ‘Loneliness in Flanders’ examines loneliness in all its facets among adults in Flanders. In each part, we explore a different theme. To this end, we build on the results of the large-scale survey we conducted among Flemish adults aged 18 and over.
37% of adults in Flanders feel lonely in 2024, with 31% feeling lonely sometimes and 6% feeling lonely often. This is evident from our survey of 3,756 adult Flemish people.
Eenzaamheid in Vlaanderen. Deel 1. Ruimte maken voor verbondenheid‘ (De Witte e.a., 2024).
Eenzaamheid in Vlaanderen. Deel 2. De Buurt als buffer. Van leefbaarheid tot verbondenheid (De Witte e.a., 2025).
Eenzaamheid in Vlaanderen. Deel 3. Eenzaamheid in verschillende gedaantes. (Schepers e.a., 2025).
Policy briefs: Loneliness and the neighbourhood
In these documents, we summarise our research findings and translate them into policy recommendations for policymakers. The policy recommendations are relevant for local, supra-local, regional and federal policy levels, and cover various policy areas: from welfare and care to the environment, mobility, housing, etc.
Policy brief nr. 1: ‘Eenzaamheid en de buurt: plaats maken voor eenzaamheid’ (Heylen e.a., 2025).
Policy brief nr. 2: Eenzaamheid: een verhaal van armoede en sociale uitsluiting (Heylen e.a., 2025).
Detection tool
(expected in 2025)
Using this tool, one can detect neighbourhoods at increased risk of (social, emotional and existential) loneliness. Based on open-source data, we develop a set of risk indicators for loneliness (objective neighbourhood characteristics), which users can use to easily identify whether their neighbourhood faces an increased risk of loneliness.
Neighbourhood personas
(expected in 2025)
These are specific neighbourhood profiles/characteristics that correlate with certain dimensions of loneliness (social, emotional, existential). Based on those neighbourhood personas, users (such as urban planners) enhance their knowledge of loneliness from a neighbourhood perspective, increasing the possibilities of counteracting loneliness at earlier stages.
Guide on loneliness from a neighbourhood perspective
(2026)
In this accessible and approachable guide on 'loneliness from a neighbourhood perspective', we integrate theory, tips, tools and methods. Professionals can use this guide to prevent or combat loneliness from a neighbourhood perspective.
Data set
(expected by end of 2026)
We will make an anonymised dataset publicly available at the end of the project, incorporating survey data and objective data on neighbourhood characteristics