Are Eco-Neighborhoods Health-Promoting Places? Case Study of ZAC Boucicat and ZAC Frequel-Fontarabe in Paris

Eco-neighborhoods are constructed to answer the call to protect our planet, our common home. They were first initiated as a grassroots initiative by eco-enthusiast, and gradually adopted as national or regional strategies. Various methods for certification and labeling were created by international institutions and national governments which evaluate ecological, economical, and societal aspects of their design and functioning. The recognized gap in knowledge concerns the development of health-promoting places within eco-neighborhoods. In this paper, a comparative study of two small certified eco-neighborhoods in Paris – ZAC Boucicaut and ZAC Frequel-Fontarabe is presented. These neighborhoods were assessed with the universal standard for health-promoting places. The results suggest that within eco-neighborhoods it is possible to care for ecological aspects without compromising on health-promoting places.