What the Project Is
Happy Cities is an urban planning, design, and engagement consulting firm and certified B Corp that has redefined the way communities are built. Born out of a decade-long exploration into how urban design affects people’s feelings and behaviors, Happy Cities started with an intriguing question: If urban design influences well‑being, can cities be made happier? This research laid the foundation for Charles Montgomery’s bestselling book, Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design, and eventually fueled the very essence of this project. Today, the firm harnesses insights from urban planning, architecture, and public health to create happier, healthier, and more inclusive communities. The approach blends rigorous scientific research with the lived experiences of community members in cities like Vancouver and Halifax, making this an exciting example of practical, evidence‑based urban design.
Main Benefit
The project excels by transforming research into practical urban solutions that benefit people in dozens of cities globally. The following key figures and facts highlight its impact:
- Decade‑long research turned into actionable urban design methods
- Award‑winning B Corp with a B Corp score of 119.4
- Multi‑disciplinary team including urban planners, architects, and engagement specialists
- Groundbreaking research that informs the design of housing, public spaces, and streets
- Collaborative tools informed by insights from psychology, neuroscience, and public health
Urban Research and Design
At its core, the project is about understanding urbanism and its extensive impact on well‑being. The design research is rooted in the science of wellbeing, translating intricate theories into tangible elements of urban design—housing, public spaces, and street planning are reimagined with happiness in mind. Urban design isn’t just about aesthetics; it is about creating spaces that resonate emotionally with residents. With clear metrics and comprehensive design guidelines, the work of Happy Cities ensures that every design decision supports the ultimate goal: nurturing healthy, happy, and sustainable urban life. There’s a genuine sense that each street or building is more than just an architectural feat—it’s a catalyst for social change.
Innovative Urban Planning
This consulting firm’s approach to urban planning is both innovative and dynamic, blending creative storytelling with solid, empirical research. By drawing on diverse insights from modern psychology and neuroscience, the project generates carefully guided urban solutions that are as practical as they are visionary. The innovative use of clear metrics coupled with visual storytelling not only communicates the complex interplay of factors that define urban happiness, but also inspires community members and partners to explore fresh avenues for urban renewal. This is urban planning that resonates at both intellectual and emotional levels—sometimes a pause is needed to simply appreciate how thoughtful planning can pave the way for happier cities…
Community Engagement
One of the most compelling aspects of the project is its strong commitment to community engagement. Rather than imposing a one‑size‑fits‑all solution, the approach is personalized, working closely with city residents and local partners. The process values the lived experiences and diverse hopes of communities, ensuring that the resulting urban spaces are not only evidence‑driven but also truly reflective of the people who inhabit them. In this way, urban design becomes a collaborative journey—a partnership where clear, accessible metrics are melded with local insights to forge a vision of urban life that is unique, inviting, and full of human warmth.
Balancing Science and Storytelling
By synergizing the rigorous science of urban research with the compelling art of storytelling, this project transforms abstract concepts into engaging and practical design guidelines. It operates on the philosophy that wellbeing comes not from a singular, utopian vision, but rather from embracing the emergent complexities that make every city unique. This balance of empirical evidence and community wisdom offers a fresh perspective on urban design, making planning a dynamic process rather than a static formula. The narrative of vibrant public spaces, thoughtfully planned housing, and streets designed for both movement and connection is told with clarity and simplicity—even when unexpected challenges arise, the story continues, evolving in tune with its urban environment.
Project Impact
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, this project paves the way for a more inclusive approach to urban design. With its ongoing commitment to research, design, and community engagement, it continues to generate new tools and approaches for designing cities that future generations will thrive in. The journey of blending scientific research with the lived realities of diverse communities is ever‑evolving, and the story of Happy Cities is a testament to the potential of urban design to foster happiness, well‑being, and sustainable growth. As more cities around the globe embrace these ideas, there is genuine excitement—a quiet optimism—that these urban landscapes will soon reflect a harmonious balance of design, research, and the human spirit…
