Celebrating the Progress of WELL Community Standard Projects

With the exciting launch of the digital WELL Community Standard, we’re taking a moment to celebrate some of our WELL Community projects and the incredible progress they’ve made so far.

"The power of a community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.”
-Mark Hyman, The Cleveland Clinic

Successful communities are created by people and organizations that prioritize human health and well-being. The WELL Community Standard provides project teams with the tools they need to incorporate healthy lifestyle behaviors and design strategies that support wellness at scale. Since its launch in 2017, more than 17 projects have entered the WELL Community Standard Certification pipeline. We are thrilled to see the strides that project teams are making at all phases of the certification process, with a few breaking ground on construction, documenting achievement towards Certification and even submitting for Precertification.

IWBI is always looking for ways to improve the user experience when engaging with WELL content, exemplified by last year’s launch of the WELL v2 digital platform. This year, we are excited to announce that the WELL Community Standard has gone digital! At the click of a button, WELL Online users can seamlessly navigate through WELL Community Standard features, as well as search for content, download the PDF and share articles, tools and updates with their network.

Explore the digital standard

With the exciting launch of the digital WELL Community Standard, we’re taking a moment to celebrate some of our WELL Community projects and the incredible progress they’ve made so far. Check out their project updates below!

Water Street Tampa, USA

Water Street Tampa was the first to be an active participant and has provided its deep expertise as the WELL Community Standard has taken shape. An emphasis on health and well-being has been critical to the planning of the community from the very start.

Key strategies

Implementing temperature relief strategies with a large tree canopy for shade, water bottle refilling stations for hydration, light pavements for heat island mitigation and water features for microclimate control.
Including a comprehensive public art masterplan with art and creativity throughout the design of public spaces.
Providing a publicly accessible Community Center, complete with a mother’s room, demonstration kitchen and flexible meeting spaces, thoughtfully programmed.

Issy Coeur de Ville, France

Altarea Cogedim seeks to make the well-being of every individual central to the development of all of its urban districts. Taking part in the WELL Community Standard allowed them to bring their vision of health and wellness in urban areas to life.

Key strategies

Covering more than one third of the total project area with green roofs, urban farms and fruit trees.
Creating an app to share cultural information, transportation updates and district-level health news.
Debuting community-wide lighting design elements with both functional and artistic features.
Implementing environmental and pedestrian friendly transport solutions.

Lot Fourteen, Australia

“As the first registered WELL Community pilot project in Australia, we are focused on integrating wellness and well-being into the seven hectare neighbourhood to create a healthy, strong and sustainable community, to attract the best local and international new talent for work and collaboration.”
-Rachel Walsh, Director Place & Marketing, Renewal SA

Key strategies

Providing fitness classes, community events, nutrition and wellness education and spaces for relaxation and rest.
Hosting food retailers that supply local and seasonal choices.
Integrating smart and digital city technologies to relay sustainability and wellness information.
Creating high quality buildings that raise the bar for building design practice.

Shanghai EXPO Urban Best Practices Area, China

“By pursuing the WELL Community Standard, we hope that UBPA will become better and better. The buildings in UBPA are navigable, walkable and in close proximity to nature. We know something is working, because the community always gives off a warm feeling.”
-Project Team at Shanghai EXPO UBPA

Key strategies

Installing an ecological rainwater management system.
Designing top of the line breastfeeding accommodations to create a supportive breastfeeding environment.
Creating spaces for mental health restoration, including an activities square, sculpture landscape, museums, theater and lake.
Organizing on-site activities to help relieve stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.

Forestias, Thailand

“All our undertakings, to which we devote our intellect, our strength, and our time, must benefit the people at large, the society we live in, our organization, and all other stakeholders.”
-Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, Honorary Chairman of Buddharaksa Foundation

Key strategies

Creating an extensive forested landscape with over 38 plant and 123 animal species.
Designing adaptable spaces for families, outdoor activities, nature exploration and camping.
Implementing numerous pathways for renewable and clean energy generation.

Interested in learning more about the WELL Community Standard? View the WELL Community Standard launch webcast here.