Well-being refers to ensuring the conditions that allow individuals, societies, and nature as a whole to thrive for everyone. It means that all people can develop in harmony with the natural environment and enjoy a good quality of life. This broad definition of well-being includes not only the subjective improvement in people’s living conditions, happiness, and sense of meaning, but also collective progress in many dimensions such as social cohesion, justice, inclusiveness, and participation. In this context, the Wellbeing Economy framework offers an approach that prioritizes human health, happiness, and welfare instead of unlimited growth, while also emphasizing respect for ecological limits. Moreover, it is based on the recognition that Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is expressed as a single number, cannot accurately explain whether life is improving, where deprivations exist, or who is being left behind. Rather than treating economic growth as an end in itself and pursuing it at any cost, the Wellbeing Economy places human and planetary needs at the center of its activities and aims to ensure that all these needs are met equally as fundamental needs.
In the Wellbeing Economy, local governments adopt a participatory approach to policymaking and prioritize long-term outcomes, implementing inclusive solutions to ensure well-being for everyone and to become more proactive and resilient against crises in today’s era of multiple crises. The Wellbeing Economy policy requires a shift in existing and future policies, and this transformation should begin by identifying the dimensions that will enable the evaluation of Izmir’s well-being. The reason for this is that once we move beyond considering GDP alone as the primary indicator of progress, new measurements must be developed to evaluate well-being. Within this framework, as IZPA, we address Izmir’s Well-Being framework across four dimensions (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Izmir’s Well-Being Framework
This vision for Izmir goes beyond the traditional understanding of development and is based on the collective well-being of people, society, and nature. This framework reveals in which areas and how a holistic impact is intended while shaping Izmir’s future.
Under the dimension of “A Fairer, More Equal and Inclusive Izmir,” it is emphasized that local governments must play an active role in ensuring that individuals can live a rights-based life and have equal access to opportunities. By protecting social values and embracing diversity, it aims to strengthen the sense of belonging of everyone living in the city.
The dimension “A Physically, Mentally and Socially Healthier Izmir” defines public health not only through individual medical indicators but also through social determinants such as the quality of the living environment and nutrition. Topics such as active living spaces, inclusive design principles, and food security reflect the well-being framework that considers health as a public responsibility.
The dimension “An Izmir with Safer, More Supportive and Connected Communities and a Vibrant Culture” focuses on many issues ranging from strengthening social relations and supporting local creativity to community-based preparedness for disasters caused by natural or climate-related crises. This dimension emphasizes not only individual well-being but also collective well-being by aiming to preserve urban memory, increase cultural participation, and build a sense of belonging and trust within communities.
In the dimension “An Izmir that Cares More for Nature,” ecological integrity and living in harmony with nature are prioritized. Areas of impact such as biophilic design, nature-based solutions, rewilding, and air and water quality not only contribute to improving ecosystem health but also support the mental and physical well-being of people while protecting the integrity of life for all living beings. Creating a city resilient to the climate crisis is addressed not only as an environmental issue but also as a priority related to social justice and long-term quality of life.
Ultimately, this framework aims to make Izmir not only a livable city but also a city where people can live well together. Each dimension aligns with the core principles of the Wellbeing Economy approach and highlights the need for multidimensional and simultaneous interventions in the relevant impact areas. This framework represents a vision for a more meaningful, fair, and sustainable future for decision-makers, city residents, and all other living beings.
"Well-Being: Conceptual Framework" Click here to access our study.
