Policy implications for healthy student housing against pandemics

The exponential growth in global higher education enrolment has significantly influenced urban landscapes, positioning students as key stakeholders in housing debates. However, current discussions on urban issues, particularly housing conditions, often overlook students’ perspectives. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue, as many students worldwide faced a mismatch between their living conditions and health needs. This study addresses this gap by investigating students’ satisfaction with on-campus accommodation during COVID-19, focusing on healthy housing indicators. The research was conducted in the dormitories of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, a leading higher education institution in Iran. Initially, a systematic literature review was employed to determine indicators relevant to healthy housing. This review identified 43 indicators across five key areas: comfort, air quality, water supply and quality, fitness, and services. A comprehensive questionnaire was then used to collect data on students’ perceptions of these indicators. The findings show high satisfaction with green spaces, alongside concerns regarding inadequate thermal and sound insulation, poor water quality control, and the lack of health-promoting facilities such as physical activity incentives, nutritious food options and medical supplies. The study concludes with policy implications drawn from students’ input, offering insights for healthy housing planning during and beyond public‑health emergencies.