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Healthy city

The story of our city in motion towards a healthy cityHet verhaal van onze stad in beweging naar een gezonde stad.
Rotterdam is a city that wants to move forward. A city where people get things done. Not by talking about it endlessly, but by simply starting. You can see it everywhere: in the port, in the neighborhoods, in the minds and hands of people who build the city every day.
And increasingly, that urge to act is not only about work or building, but also for a healthier life inside a city that had not been designed for that for a long time. More space to move, to catch your breath, to be yourself, and to take good care of one another.

On sports fields where children come together, where elderly people stay active, and where volunteers give their time. In de stad van topsport, waar prestaties inspireren en verenigingen van onderaf kracht geven. In community centers where people work on self-confidence, peace of mind, and support when things are not going well. And, in art, culture and, festivals. Daarnaast kunst, cultuur en festivals. They put our city on the map, bring people together, and contribute to the (mental) health of individuals and to social cohesion among all Rotterdammers.

You see it in the green that returns to places where once there was only asphalt. . On rooftops, along facades, and even in places like Hofplein, which is slowly transforming from a traffic circle into a city park.
And in healthcare, you see it every day. In GP practices in the neighborhoods, but also in Rotterdam’s top institutions such as the Erasmus MC and Erasmus University Rotterdam. There, the people work on research, innovation, and prevention. Care that is close by, accessible, and future-oriented.

This movement was not planned but has developed naturally. By people who saw what was needed and simply started. Healthcare professionals, sport coaches, teachers, residents, and young people. Each from their own role, but all with the same goal: building a city where healthy living is possible
And the best part is: everyone can join in. By making room to move. By having attention for yourself and others. By planting a tree, or by helping someone find their way. Because we do not create health in a doctor’s office or gym. We make it together.
Every day. In every neighborhood.

Rotterdam is becoming a healthier city every day, because we understand the importance of it, because we understand the importance of it.

Rotterdam. Make it Happen.

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Wikkelboats, floating Tiny Houses, located at Rijnhaven. Wikkelboats are made of sustainable materials and are up to three times as environmentally friendly as traditional dwellings.
Pauluschurch in front of the Marriott Hotel.
Visual van de Westblaak
The Plait is a 2020 steel sculpture by sculptor Kalliopi Lemos, known for her large-scale public installations. The upright plait of dark brown hair has a length of 6,5 meters. The Plait is part of her recent sculpture series Tools of Endearment and is about the role of femininity in modern society. The cutting of the hair braid alludes to a gesture of disobedience, a radically personal gesture against (patriarchal) coercion. But also cutting off old ideas, from change, as an act of liberation and coming of age. In 2020 The Plait purchased by the Droom en Daad foundation and donated to the municipality of Rotterdam. The work was added to the sculpture terrace on Westersingel and unveiled on March 8, 2021.
View of (a part) the skyline, with the new Zalmhaven tower and the Erasmus bridge visible.
A horizontal shot of the Rotterdam Central Station capturing few trains passing by or stopping. Rotterdam Central Station is also called the international gateway to Rotterdam. Every day, about 110,000 travellers pass through Central Station to use the bus, tram, metro or train. Intercity trains from all over the Netherlands (including Intercity Direct), Thalys, Eurostar and other international high-speed trains stop here several times a day, sometimes hourly.
Visual van het Rijnhaven park in Rotterdam.
A part of the Rotterdam Skyline at Wilhelminakade/Rijnhaven. The photo was taken at metro stop Rijnhaven. In this picture we can see Luxor Theatre, Floating Office Rotterdam, De Rotterdam. New Orleans, Montevideo and the World Port Center. A metro sign is also visible.
Visual van de Rijnhaven in Rotterdam.
The Zalmhaven with a beautiful sunset
Visual van het Nelson Mandelapark in de Maashaven.
Passant op een herfstachtige dag die langs het Nieuwe Instituut wandelt.
Archtectonisch beeld van een rood gebouw in Rotterdam
Archtectonisch beeld van een rood gebouw in Rotterdam
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility. The depot is located next to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and Het Nieuwe Instituut in Museumpark in Rotterdam.