Cities Are Becoming Health Infrastructure. Can Longevity Be Master-Planned?

Increasingly, scientists, policymakers and urban planners are asking a more ambitious question: If environments shape longevity, can cities be intentionally designed to help people live healthier for longer?

That question is rapidly moving from academic debate into mainstream urban development. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness real estate has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the global wellness economy, expanding from $225 billion in 2019 to $548 billion in 2023, with forecasts suggesting the market could approach $913 billion by 2028. Developers are increasingly integrating preventive healthcare, green space, walkability, air quality, social infrastructure and active mobility into the way communities are planned and operated.

Vietnam may be uniquely positioned to participate in the emerging era of longevity communities, and Vinhomes is among the developers best placed to translate that vision into reality. Supported by the broader Vingroup ecosystem, spanning healthcare, education, mobility, hospitality and technology, the company combines capabilities that align with many of the conditions identified by longevity research as supporting healthier, longer lives. Combined with Vietnam's exceptional natural assets and an approach that emphasises both ecological restoration and sustainable urban development, Vinhomes is positioning itself to explore how the principles behind the world's Blue Zones can be reimagined in the next generation of integrated communities.

Walkable master plans, electric public mobility and expansive green spaces encourage natural movement. Preventive healthcare services delivered through Vinmec promote earlier detection and healthier lifestyles rather than reactive treatment. Educational institutions support lifelong learning and intergenerational engagement, while community programming strengthens the social connections that researchers increasingly recognise as critical to long-term wellbeing.

Next Generation of Cities