Cartesius Utrecht: building for healthy urban living

Pilot project for the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Utrecht, a neighborhood is emerging with an exceptional ambition: an urban living environment that facilitates a longer healthy and happy life for everyone. The Cartesius project, developed by MRP and Ballast Nedam Development, in collaboration with the City of Utrecht and NS Stations, is based on the scientific insights of the so-called 'blue zones' - regions where people age above average health.

Jozien Timmers, Head of Architecture at MRP and responsible for monitoring the Cartesius concept: "The blue zones, in Japan and Greece among others, have three things in common: people there eat healthy food, have daily exercise and live in a healthy community where people look out for each other. We incorporated all this into our vision for Cartesius." The concept is clear: a neighborhood in which the environment invites daily exercise, healthy eating and a sense of community.

The neighborhood will be car-free, with a Cartesius Park and a Green Loop in which everyone can easily take 10,000 steps a day. The homes - about three thousand - will be developed around green zones with collective indoor gardens and space for meeting. Residents will have a say in the design of these collective gardens. Another example of such shared space is the iconic CAB, the former NS bus depot, which is being redeveloped into the "largest living room in the Netherlands. This will include meeting places, a supermarket, catering and other facilities for the neighborhood.

New insights

Planning for the project started back in 2016 with the tender from the City of Utrecht and NS. That does not mean that the plans made back then are not subject to change, Timmers says. "The backbone, the dna strand of Cartesius remains safeguarded, but we are constantly working to see how the latest insights around healthy urban living can be implemented. For example, for every residential block that is built, we look at what can be improved. Can we do something with the latest knowledge of building with wood? Can we take an extra step in terms of energy, glass or solar panels? We also make the highest promise for material choices. And so we look at more sustainable materials, circular construction and smart building methods. So we keep adjusting our plans based on new insights." And the developing and building parties don't do that alone. With the partners in the Covenant Building a Healthy Neighborhood such as the UMC, the University of Utrecht and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, research is being conducted into what innovations are needed for healthy urban living. This is then also monitored.

In any case, the World Health Organization (WHO) is impressed by what is happening in Utrecht: Cartesius is now a pilot for healthy urban development. Timmers: "Everyone can see that we are working on something special, making the world a little more beautiful. Residents get all the facilities of the city here, but also a home where people live together in a beautiful and green neighborhood." The neighborhood will be realized in phases and the sixth and final phase will include a school, daycare and sports hall. The ambition is to complete the project before 2031. Timmers is pleased with the cooperation with all parties. "There is a lot of pleasure in working on it and all noses are pointed in the same direction. We have set the highest ambition here and are working hard to achieve it. That gives a kick and a lot of satisfaction."