The Prague district of Brumlovka, which Passerinvest Group has been gradually building in Prague 4, has achieved a major international success. At the beginning of this year, it received the highest level of the prestigious Fitwel certification, thus writing itself into the history of modern development in Europe. Although the Fitwel certification system is now a recognised standard in more than 60 countries around the world, Brumlovka is the first ever project in continental Europe to achieve this highly demanding whole-site rating. This is a significant milestone not only for Passerinvest Group itself but also for the entire Czech development scene.
“We are delighted to have received the Fitwel certification. To get it, our company had to provide the results of 68 parameters and submit 246 documents, and the certification process has been going on since 2021. For all the parameters, we had to provide detailed evidence – declarations, presentations and photo documentation. We described and photographed literally every detail, the design of the access roads, accessibility of the site, bus stops, wayfinding signs and even the drinking fountains in the parks, etc. It was a very difficult process, but the final decision to grant us the certification is confirmation that the path our company took three decades ago is the right one,” says Petr Bečán, Property Manager & ESG of Passerinvest Group, a.s.
Fitwel is a prestigious certification, based on more than 7,000 academic studies with the aim of promoting the mental and physical wellbeing not just of Brumlovka’s direct users, but of the entire community. Fitwel certification was originally created by the American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US General Services Administration, which are American government organisations, with CDC remaining a partner for Fitwel research and evaluation.
Fitwel is a comprehensive tool for evaluating buildings in terms of health, environmental and social parameters. The system assesses approximately a hundred criteria divided into twelve categories and, on their basis, gives buildings a rating from one to three stars – a prestigious mark of quality corresponding to the real needs of people today.
“Since the beginning, we have been developing Brumlovka with the clear aim of creating a superior, user-friendly part of the city with the emphasis on health and a healthy lifestyle both for individuals and for society. The highest three-star Fitwel certification that we have been awarded has not only brought us confirmation that our urban planning and building work is being done well, but also valuable insight into the requirements for how sites should function in terms of health and wellbeing on an international scale. And that is why we decided to go through the whole certification process on our won, so that we could directly implement the new suggestions from the certification requirements into the further development of the location, which is what we did. We really see the award itself as a big pat on the back for everyone who has contributed and continues to contribute to how Brumlovka is today, as well as a commitment to not let up in the future from fulfilling our fitting, new slogan: “Brumlovka, the only one of its kind”. After all, thanks to Fitwel, we have an official paper saying this,” says Eduard Forejt, Business Development Director of Passerinvest Group, a.s., exaggerating slightly. Spread over an area of 25 hectares, Brumlovka has demonstrated exceptional quality in several areas during the almost four-year-long certification process. These include, for example, a healthy lifestyle, blue-green infrastructure, a healthy working environment, greenery and relaxation areas, transport access, amenities and support for cultural life. “We met the vast majority of the criteria thanks to features that have been working at Brumlovka for a number of years. In some aspects we even exceed the certification requirements, for example in the case of our wayfinding system, where in addition to wayfinding signs we have our own app that functions as mobile navigation. But we also have a better building ventilation system than the certification required us to have, as we consider air quality to be one of the key parameters for ensuring our tenants’ wellbeing,” adds Bečán.
Where did Brumlovka score well?
- The strategy of constructing buildings in accordance with wellbeing requirements
- Rainwater management, eliminating heating islands, air quality
- Spaces for relaxing in, abundant greenery, natural materials, drinking fountains in parks
- Accessibility of the site other than by car, connection to a cycle path, parking for bikes
- Bike sheds with facilities for building tenants
- Safety and barrier-free accessibility, clear wayfinding system
- Two own bus routes
- A variety of leisure opportunities, varied community life, sports and social events
- A choice of catering including special diets (vegetarian and vegan restaurants)
- Amenities for parents and children (baby changing tables, microwaves)
- Cleaning policy without harmful chemicals
As well as the reduction in health and safety risks for building occupants, the main benefits of Fitwel certification include increased property values, continuous monitoring of health impacts and also a clear demonstration of the commitment to improve the lives of building occupants and the surrounding communities.
Fitwel certification is valid for three years and commits its holder to maintain and further improve the standards that have been achieved. After three years it is then possible to apply for recertification. “This achievement is not the end for us, but a further step on our journey to continually improve the environment for everyone who visits Brumlovka. So, in a year and a half, we will begin looking at the current version of the certificate and will try to defend it again,” concludes Bečán
