Pioneering Places Executive Leaders Guide

Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSan Francisco, USANairobi, KenyaMontréal, CanadaUtrecht, NetherlandsMedellín, ColombiaPhysical and Social Infrastructure Resilience and Wellbeing Sustainability and Circularity Utrecht, NetherlandsWho doesn’t want to become over 100 years in good health and happiness? In five blue zones worldwide, this is the case. The success factors could be a plant-based diet, regular natural exercise, strong social connections, a purpose in life, and strategies to reduce stress. Businesses, governments, citizens, and knowledge institutions cooperate to implement and monitor this success factors in the neighbourhood Cartesius . Our social key performance indicator is a 5 -year higher life expectancy in good health and happiness. Our region wants to maximise the contribution to healthy people in a health environment. Our mission is to become the global Heart of Health.”Challenge Rapid population growth and limited land have increased pressure on housing and infrastructure across the Utrecht region. Maintaining affordability and access to green, well-designed neighbourhoods has become essential to sustaining the city’s high quality of life and economic competitiveness. Opportunity Through its Heart of Health vision, Utrecht will show how housing and urban design can directly improve public health. The Cartesius neighbourhood will serve as a model for this approach, translating Baukultur principles of functionality, environment and governance into practice.Michiel Dijkman , CEO of multi -helix organisation Economic Board Metropolitan Region UtrechtBuilding a healthier and more resilient region by linking economic growth with quality living environments that enable people to lead longer, happier lives.In the province of Utrecht, we work together towards healthy people, in a healthy living environment, within a healthy society. After all, health is the foundation of happiness – and happy people, in turn, contribute to a strong society, a vital community, and a well - functioning labour market. A concrete example is Cartesius : a new urban district near Utrecht Central Station, in the heart of the country. Here, thousands of additional homes and workplaces come together, close to each other and easily accessible. In this way, we bring jobs closer to people and people closer to their work. This means less travel time, more happiness, and better health. At the same time, we strengthen the business climate and increase the earning capacity of the region. A healthy living environment thus proves to be not only good for people, but also for the economy.” André van Schie, Regional Minister for Economic Affairs of the Province of Utrecht Outcomes ‒Achieve measurable improvements in public health, and urban quality through coordinated delivery. ‒Deliver the Cartesius neighbourhood as a model for health-centred urban development hat connects health, sustainability, and prosperity. ‒Share Utrecht’s findings through Alliance case studies to inform global practice on wellbeing and the built environment.