Biodiversity as a project lever
Introduced by journalist Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods (2005), the concept of "nature deficit disorder" refers to the physical, psychological and cognitive disorders linked to the growing disconnection between humans - particularly children - and natural environments.
Definition: a relational deficit, not a medical pathology
The term "nature deficit disorder" does not designate a disease in the medical sense of the term. It describes a situation of impoverished interaction with the living world, with documented effects on well-being, mental health, attention span and psychomotor development.
In urban areas, the scarcity of outdoor spaces, reduced contact with the natural environment, and the pace of life and use of digital technology reinforce this disconnect. In children, several studies link this deficit to concentration problems, increased anxiety, obesity and reduced social skills.
A question of environmental health... and social justice
Studies on the subject all agree: access to nature improves physical and mental health, stimulates the imagination, encourages free motor skills and develops relationships with others. But access to nature is not evenly distributed across the country.
In the most constrained neighborhoods, the presence of biodiversity, continuous green spaces and ecological corridors is often limited. This observation links the ecological issue to that of equal opportunity, public health and quality of life.
Certification as a lever for action: towards prescribable biodiversity
At IRICE, we believe that urban biodiversity is not an aesthetic option, but an operational requirement. Reintroducing nature into urban projects requires shared, traceable and enforceable tools. This is the purpose of Effinature certification and the Biodiversity Performance Score (BPS): to provide measurable frameworks for these commitments, to guarantee their effectiveness, and to ensure that the ecological recovery is based on results.
Conclusion: restoring the living link
Reducing nature deficit disorder requires a systemic approach. It involves project owners, local authorities, designers and certifiers alike. It is through robust standards, aligned with the real uses and needs of residents, that urban renaturation becomes a credible lever for public health.