"Wellness is a term that is commonly associated with health services - often in relation to preventative policy. Similarly it is a noteworthy consumer trend as well as a booming industry. However, it is slowly finding its way into local economic development agenda, too, which is well depicted in this book. Wellness City provides a good basis for understanding the nature and opportunities of wellness-oriented cluster policy. This book is an essential read for key stakeholders in local economic development." (Ian C. Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Business & Public Services in the Business, Enterprise and Management Division, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK) "Anttiroiko's Wellness City addresses a topic that has been growing in importance for a few decades, yet is still being poorly conceptualised in local economic development discourse. The book is timely and fills a significant knowledge gap by opening up a new horizon for local economic development based on wellness-oriented cluster policy.

The book creates a major benchmark in the urban wellness discourse. It represents essential reading for both academics, practitioners, and students in multiple disciplines interested in urban wellness and its economic potential. It opens the door for more research to follow." (Roger W. Caves, Professor Emeritus of City Planning, San Diego State University)"A view that economic development inherently improves the well-being of communities has been challenged in current economic discourse. To overcome the shortcomings of such a narrow economistic thinking, we need to approach local development in a holistic manner. Wellness City addresses this issue by providing a balanced perspective on how health and well-being relate to the promotion of both economic development and inclusive prosperity. In this respect, this book is a significant step forward in urban policy studies.

At a time when policy-makers and scholars are puzzled by the challenges of urban development, Wellness City is a valuable source of guidance for envisioning a new urban agenda." (Hiroyuki Mori, Professor of Economics, Ritsumeikan University, Japan)"Wellness is a major economic trend of our time. Quality of life and welfare are translating the outcomes of economic development to better material conditions and every-day living. However, there are hardly any coherent descriptions of the forms and scope of wellness in local economic development. Anttiroiko highlights key dimensions of wellness-oriented policy and reveals empirical cases that illustrate how local governments can profit from wellness strategies. Placed at the intersection of holistic health, economic life, and urban governance, this book should be read by students, experts and public managers looking to create new policies on local economic development and urban living." (Nicos Komninos, Professor, URENIO Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki).