Public transport and bicycle-friendly The former NS industrial estate is set to become the healthiest, most public transport and bicycle-friendly neighborhood in the Netherlands. The development of the area is based on the Direction Document jointly prepared by NS and the municipality of Utrecht, which was unanimously adopted by the city council. The design builds upon NS's and the Municipality of Utrecht's ambitions for a healthy life in a healthy environment.

Diverse target groups Cartesius Utrecht will be a lively urban district with plenty of greenery, all urban amenities within reach, and where walking and cycling are the main modes of transportation. There is a strong focus on sustainability, innovative energy solutions, and sustainable (shared) mobility. The neighborhood consists of a variety of housing types for diverse target groups. As part of this, there is a concept from Portaal and the De Tussenvoorziening foundation to apply the mixed housing concept to approximately 600 social rental apartments out of a total of 2600 homes. The project will be realized in phases over the coming years.

Liveable and accessible Due to the growing pressure on cities and the need to remain liveable and accessible, NS has developed an approach as a landowner near stations to realize station areas. NS takes the initiative to repurpose NS locations in close collaboration with municipalities and other partners, with a focus on opportunities in mobility and sustainable reuse of existing buildings. Cartesius Utrecht is located directly adjacent to Zuilen station and will also be connected to the city center in the future via a passage under the railway to the Tweede Daalsedijk.

There are four overarching themes for the new residential area in Utrecht: movement, healthy nutrition, community, and meaning & relaxation.

The development is a collaboration between Ballast Nedam Development and MRP Development, with the position acquired through a 'sale in dialogue tender'

In and around Cartesius, people can live harmoniously with each other, the city, and nature. Inspired by the scientific theory of Blue Zones, Cartesius is envisioned as a vibrant, sustainable, and green urban neighborhood—a place to recharge. Blue Zones are regions in the world where people live longer, healthier, and happier lives. During a working visit, the 'Building a Healthy Neighborhood Covenant' was signed by the Cartesius consortium, consisting of developers Ballast Nedam Development and MRP, the Municipality of Utrecht, NS Stations, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University, Housing Corporation Portaal, Achmea Real Estate, and CBRE Investment Management. This covenant aims to monitor the extent to which interventions in the living environment at Cartesius Utrecht impact the physical and mental health of residents. At a later stage, this monitoring program could be scaled up to other area developments in the Netherlands. The World Health Organization (WHO), during the trade mission of the Economic Board Utrecht (EBU) in Copenhagen, has pledged to include Cartesius Utrecht as a project in the 'Health in the Well-Being Economy' program, as part of 'WHO Healthy Cities'. This development aligns perfectly with the regional positioning of Utrecht Heart of Health. Utrecht aims to contribute as much as possible as a region to a healthy world.