At the first-ever Blue Zone Festival in Zwolle, Cartesius Utrecht won first prize in the Property Development category, recognizing it as a groundbreaking urban development project inspired by the scientific principles of Blue Zones. This large-scale, inner-city area development is the first Heart of Health project in the region, applying Blue Zone principles to urban living for the first time.

The jury praised Cartesius as a leading example of urban development that goes beyond simply constructing buildings. The project addresses a critical challenge in the Netherlands: how to create livable, high-quality housing in increasingly dense cities.

"Several Blue Zone principles were already embedded in the tender phase, and these are now being realized. Cartesius is not yet finished, but a broad, integrated collaboration is already in place, bringing together real estate organizations, social organizations, knowledge institutions, residents, the municipality, management organizations, and designers. The fact that this development is also being scientifically monitored ensures that knowledge is shared and interventions can be made to improve health outcomes."

Held on Thursday, June 20, the Blue Zone Festival was a joint initiative by ZorgSaamWonen, Acquire, and Beyond Now, dedicated to promoting healthy living environments. The event brought together experts and innovators to explore social interaction, movement, healthy food, nature, resilience, and community participation—all key factors that contribute to longer and healthier lives.

Cartesius Utrecht was awarded first place in the real estate development category, an achievement celebrated by the Cartesius development consortium (MRP and Ballast Nedam Development).

The Blue Zone Award was designed by artist Kees Huigen, who described its spiral form as a symbol of growth from the inside out, reflecting the core philosophy of Blue Zones—where inner well-being translates into a better quality of life. The Blue Zone Festival Award jury consisted of: Anjo Geluk (Council of the Elderly), Joren van Dijk (Environmental Psychologist), Ronald Helder (Zwanenhof), Alex Sievers (Beyond Now) and Dorte Kristensen (Atelier PRO architects).The ontwikkkelconsortium Cartesius Utrecht congratulates all nominees further prijsiwnnaars in the category real estate development: Kas&Co, submitted by Hegeman Bouwgroep (2nd place) and Dennenheuvel Bloemendaal, submitted by Orange Architects (3rd place) and in the category social interventions: Slangenbeek Gezond, submitted by the Positively Healthy Slangenbeek Foundation (1st place), Dorpsondersteuner, submitted by Sociale Innovatie Twente (2nd place) and Beleef- en speeltuin Twiskehuis submitted by Groeizaam Projecten (3rd place)