A nature-inclusive neighborhood enhances health and well-being. Daily exposure to greenery has proven benefits, improving mood, concentration, and reducing stress. It strengthens the immune system, promotes a healthier lifestyle, and enhances the quality of the living environment. However, in modern cities, direct contact with nature is no longer a given. The question is: how can urban living contribute more effectively to human health? The answer lies in nature-inclusive building.

A home should not be separate from its environment but rather a part of it. When nature is integrated into the built environment, both biodiversity and quality of life improve. This approach gives space to plants and animals while offering long-term benefits to residents. By using natural materials, infrastructure becomes more sustainable, not just a concrete landscape. Many of these materials also provide better insulation and longevity, adding further value.

Cooling during hot summers
With rising temperatures, heat management is becoming increasingly important. Green spaces provide natural cooling, making urban areas more livable, especially in summer. Features like green roofs attract insects, bees, and birds, while built-in nesting spaces for birds and bats support urban biodiversity. Smart rainwater storage systems help prevent flooding while ensuring plants and green roofs receive water when needed.

Greenery filters the air
Nature does more than beautify the neighborhood—it actively filters the air, capturing dust particles and improving urban air quality. A greener environment also encourages people to spend more time outdoors, where walking among trees and gardens is far more inviting than on streets dominated by concrete. Increased outdoor activity leads to better health, more social interactions, and a stronger sense of community.

Contributing to healthier living environment
Recognizing the importance of a healthier ecological living system, developers and urban planners have been prioritizing nature-inclusive building for years. Now, with health formally integrated into the Environment Act, its role in new developments and urban renewal projects is growing. A key initiative in this movement is the Handreiking Natuurinclusief Bouwen voor Gezonde Bewoners, a practical guide outlining the top 10 measures for integrating nature and health into urban development, created in collaboration with Platform KAN Bouwen and Collectief Natuurinclusief.

A district designed as a Blue Zone
Leading the way in nature-inclusive urban living is Cartesius Utrecht, a forward-thinking district with over 3,000 homes designed for sustainability, health, and biodiversity. A development by Ballast Nedam Development and MRP, Cartesius is inspired by the scientific theory of Blue Zones—places where people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

"Cartesius is a model project for the World Health Organization (WHO), where scientific principles are being applied to create a healthier urban environment," states the Cartesius-Utrecht website. The neighborhood will feature car-free streets, energy-efficient homes made from reusable or low-impact materials, and a commitment to biodiversity, with 30% of the area dedicated to greenery.

Jacob Versteeg Conlledo, Developer at Ballast Nedam Development, highlights the importance of nature-inclusive urban planning: "Residents in these neighborhoods feel healthier, experience less stress, and visit the doctor less often. A nature-inclusive environment fosters social connection, exercise, and play. If children grow up seeing movement as something enjoyable, they are more likely to continue an active lifestyle throughout their lives."

Small green spaces, big impact
Even the smallest green initiatives contribute to urban biodiversity. Façade gardens and green parking strips help sustain insect populations, which in turn support food production, birdlife, and ecological balance. Green parking solutions, such as grass tiles, improve water infiltration, reduce heat retention, and can lower street temperatures by up to 10 degrees compared to concrete surfaces.

As nature-inclusive building becomes the norm, it is no longer a luxury but an essential part of urban development—ensuring that cities remain livable, healthy, and in balance with nature.