Apeldoorn Named Healthiest City in the Netherlands for 2024

14.11.2024

Apeldoorn Tops 2024 Healthy City Index, Leading the Way in Urban Health and Sustainability

Apeldoorn has officially been recognised as the healthiest city in the Netherlands, according to the 2024 Healthy City Index. This is a major milestone for both the city and Wittenborg, whose main Brinklaan campus, along with its Spoorstraat study location and student housing, are all located in Apeldoorn, the green and royal capital of the Veluwe.

From Fifth to First: Apeldoorn’s Rise to the Top

Apeldoorn has moved up from fifth place in 2020 to claim the coveted top spot, overtaking Groningen, which had held the title for the past two years. This achievement reflects Apeldoorn’s ongoing commitment to urban planning and health-focused initiatives, creating an ideal environment for students, faculty, and residents alike.

Why Apeldoorn Is the Healthiest City in the Netherlands for 2024

The key factors behind Apeldoorn’s success are its consistent performance across various categories, particularly the “Healthy Community” component. The city’s low crime rates and high social cohesion played a major role in securing its top position.

Eke Schins, healthcare director at Arcadis, explains, "The number of crimes is low and social cohesion is high. We are seeing a significant increase in feelings of anxiety and stress nationwide as a result of the pandemic. Apeldoorn is also experiencing this increase, but clearly less so than many other cities. What likely helps is the city’s green character."

The Green and Royal Appeal of Apeldoorn

Research shows that Apeldoorn stands out for its abundance of greenery, innovative spatial design, progressive sustainability initiatives and royal allure. By building on these strengths, the city continues to enhance its appeal to outsiders. Key attractions, such as Het Loo Palace, Oranjepark, Coda Museum, Apenheul and Theater Orpheus - the largest cultural venue in Apeldoorn - are some of the highlights that make the city both vibrant and attractive.

A Vision for Apeldoorn’s Future: Innovation and Sustainability

Looking to the future, Apeldoorn is actively working on its Economic Strategy (Economische Koers), which aims to transform the city into a hub for innovation and sustainability by 2040. This includes plans for significant developments as the city grows toward a population of at least 180,000, creating a business-friendly environment that fosters entrepreneurship and expansion.

Urban Growth and Sustainability: A Balanced Approach

As part of its future development, Apeldoorn also plans to build around 7,000 new homes in the city centre. However, as Schins emphasises, to remain at the top, it is crucial to combine densification with greening.

Balancing urban growth with the expansion of green spaces will therefore be essential for Apeldoorn to maintain its position as the healthiest city in the Netherlands.

A Snapshot of the Healthiest Cities in the Netherlands

Apeldoorn is closely followed by Maastricht and Groningen in the 2024 Healthy City Index. Other notable cities in the top rankings include Nijmegen, Arnhem, and Amersfoort, reflecting the overall commitment across the country to improving urban health and well-being. However, the list also highlights areas where challenges remain, with Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam at the bottom. Overall, the Healthy City Index shows that while there are varying levels of achievement across Dutch cities, the focus on health, green spaces and sustainable urban planning is clear. Find out more here.