Cartesius Okinawa

Cartesius is being developed as a green and healthy urban neighborhood with over 3.000 homes. Sustainability and biodiversity are central, with ample space for social interaction, physical activity, and relaxation. A key aspect of the neighborhood is the measurement of interventions to contribute to a healthy and sustainable living environment, ultimately supporting the physical and mental well-being of people and animals while making a positive contribution to the planet. This is achieved through integrated hardware and software focusing on community, nature & biodiversity, movement, relaxation & meaning, sustainability, mobility, environment, and healthy nutrition.

In Okinawa, residents will live according to the Mixed Housing concept, where people with and without housing support live together. Of the 165 homes, 36 are designated for people with intellectual disabilities, 24 for residents transitioning from social shelters, and 105 for regular social housing tenants. Stichting De Tussenvoorziening and Abrona will provide support for residents who need additional assistance, helping them fully participate in society. We are proud to contribute to this initiative through our spatial design of the neighborhood.

Mixed Housing has become an essential residential model for successfully integrating focus groups such as tenants requiring support, those transitioning from social shelters, or residents of assisted living into their new homes and neighborhoods. It also meets the needs of regular home-seekers who want to live in a community where neighbors are engaged with one another.

The ground floor of the building will accommodate not only the residential entrances but also a communal bicycle storage and commercial units adjacent to Utrecht Zuilen station square.

Cartesius is a development by the Cartesius Development Consortium (developers MRP and Ballast Nedam Development) in collaboration with the Municipality of Utrecht and NS Stations (part of the Dutch Railways), with urban and landscape design by Mecanoo; EVA Architects (Okinawa and the parking garage); Paul de Ruiter Architects (Nicoya and Loma Linda); and De Architekten Cie. (Baunei). Phase 2 is being realized by Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling B.V. (the CAB, Okinawa, the parking garage) and Ballast Nedam West (Nicoya).