Creating happier, healthier, more inclusive communities

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Community planning

Public space design

Housing policy

Research & engagement

Turning evidence into action

Happy Cities is an urban planning, design, and research consultancy based in Vancouver and Halifax. We work with governments, developers, and non-profits around the world to design neighbourhoods, public spaces, and housing that nurture wellbeing for all community members.

Featured
Las Vegas 2050 master plan – Charleston area
Las Vegas 2050 master plan – Charleston area

Happy Cities led the Charleston 2050 Area Plan, creating a roadmap for human-centred development in a 5,100-acre area west of Downtown Las Vegas.

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Wolfville growth and transportation plan
Wolfville growth and transportation plan

Happy Cities worked with the Town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia to lead planning and engagement for the Housing Accelerator Action Plan, guiding the way for gentle density and economic revitalization in the town centre.

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Park City main street area plan
Park City main street area plan

Happy Cities developed a plan to transform Main Street into a vibrant community hub that welcomes locals and international tourists alike.

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Nova Scotia rural transit pilot study
Nova Scotia rural transit pilot study

Happy Cities is working with the Nova Scotia Community Transportation Network to improve bus service in three rural communities: Antigonish, Bridgewater, and Pictou County.

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"Happy Cities was a dream to work with. The quality of research, analysis, written submissions and field work was consistently high. A true partner in our ambitious active transportation pursuits!"

Lisa Leblanc, Director of Engineering, City of New Westminster

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Featured stories

Stories
How a beer garden is transforming vacant land in Tysons, VA
Community planning, Public space
How a beer garden is transforming vacant land in Tysons, VA
Community planning, Public space

Vacant land risks undermining suburban redevelopment plans. Tysons, VA found a solution: beer gardens, shipping containers, and family-friendly pop-ups.

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Community planning, Public space
Las Vegas: An unlikely model for walkable suburbs?
Community planning
Las Vegas: An unlikely model for walkable suburbs?
Community planning

How do you transform a suburb into a walkable place? Las Vegas is betting on “catalytic redevelopment”—creating one great place that people love spending time in.

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Community planning
How Build Canada Homes can go beyond affordability
Housing
How Build Canada Homes can go beyond affordability
Housing

What Canada can learn from non-market housing communities about social connection, health, and belonging.

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Housing
What is placemaking? And more FAQs
Public space
What is placemaking? And more FAQs
Public space

How do you start a placemaking project, and why does placemaking matter for healthy communities? Happy Cities answers your questions!

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Public space
Left behind in an emergency: Addressing the accessibility gap
Left behind in an emergency: Addressing the accessibility gap

How can cities improve accessibility during emergencies and extreme weather?

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New guidelines for age- and dementia-inclusive neighbourhoods 
Streets & transportation, Public space
New guidelines for age- and dementia-inclusive neighbourhoods 
Streets & transportation, Public space

Learn the unique planning and design considerations for older adults and people living with dementia through a free online course.

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Streets & transportation, Public space

We’ve built trust with clients around the world

Colour photograph of the Happy Cities book on a table.

Read the book that started it all

Explore the intersection between urban design and the emerging science of happiness, with stops in some of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Check it out