Copenhagen has beaten the likes of Vancouver, Melbourne and Napa, California, to top CNN’s new list of the world’s healthiest cities. Famously home to the world’s happiest people, Copenhagen has also recently featured among the ten most innovative cities in the world. A strong focus on sustainability is a key reason for the city’s success
A truly healthy city makes it easy for its residents to adopt a healthful lifestyle, whether by providing quality health care, encouraging preventive medicine, or reducing air pollution.
The leaders of these cities have implemented laws and policies that ensure locals have access to parks, nutritious food and public transport.
They have created innovative programs to combat disease and increase the quality of life for residents long into old age.
Copenhagen is a frontrunner within these areas, with sustainability as a high priority in both the public and private spheres. The city is the official European Green Capital of 2014, and has an abundance of environmentally friendly hotels, venues and restaurants making it easy to plan a green-profiled meeting or conference.
A green capital
Copenhagen is famous for its effective and green transport options. The city has 249 miles of cycle lanes, which makes biking an easy and safe option. And people use them: More than half of commuters travel to work or school by bike each day.
Though parks and cycle lanes are plentiful in Copenhagen, the local government continues to expand both. By 2015, all residents must be able to reach a park or beach by foot in less than 15 minutes, according to a new official municipal policy.
Many of the new parks created will be ‘pocket parks,’ or small green spaces for city residents. The hope is that they will help keep residents fit and help the environment by reducing traffic and pollution.
Competitive work environment
Copenhagen is a bustling city full of ambitious professionals and young families. Flexible work hours makes it possible to maintain a healthy yet efficient work-life balance.
According to an OECD report, just 2% of employees in Copenhagen work 40 hours a week or more, allowing them to spend time with family, play sports, volunteer, or participate in other community programs.
In spite of the relatively low level of working hours, Denmark was ranked among the top three in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index published by INSEAD in December 2013, and features in the top 10 on IMD’s World Competitiveness Scoreboard 2014.
High quality of life
The ability to effectively balance work with quality time with friends and family not only reduces stress levels, it also boosts happiness.
Studies show that people who focus on experiences, as opposed to acquiring goods, have higher levels of satisfaction long after the moment has passed.
That’s one reason Denmark regularly claims the top spot as the happiest nation in the annual World Happiness Report commissioned by the United Nations.
Numerous other factors contribute to Copenhagen’s relaxed atmosphere. The city is easily walkable, with low crime levels and a broad range of cultural, historic and recreational attractions.
The Danes also experience high levels of social connectivity and cohesion. Ninety-six percent of residents in Copenhagen say they can count on someone if they are in need.
Making up the other nine places in CNN’s list are Okinawa, Monte Carlo, Vancouver, Melbourne, New York, Jonkoping, Havana, Singapore and Napa.
