Stories
We share stories and evidence on the link between urban design and human wellbeing.
All stories
Las Vegas: An unlikely model for walkable suburbs?
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.
How Build Canada Homes can go beyond affordability
What Canada can learn from non-market housing communities about social connection, health, and belonging.
New guidelines for age- and dementia-inclusive neighbourhoods
Learn the unique planning and design considerations for older adults and people living with dementia through a free online course.
The case for social infrastructure
Social spaces and networks create an essential foundation for healthy, resilient communities. But they’re hard to measure.
Low barrier, high impact: The value of community placemaking
How to measure success of public space transformations.
How can placemaking contribute to reconciliation?
Indigenous community members are shaping placemaking and urban design projects to share their histories of place and create stronger communities.
Making space for youth in our communities
How city staff, community organizations, and placemakers can create better places for young people.
Our Urban Village: A new model for social, missing middle housing?
Cohousing lite is a promising solution to our loneliness and housing crises. Why aren’t we building more of it?
How cohousing builds support across generations
Cohousing communities reveal the benefits of supportive, multigenerational neighbours—showing that apartment living doesn’t have to be lonely or isolating.
Can our homes make us less lonely?
Three ways to design multi-unit housing for social connection, happiness, and health.
How resident relocation policies can support wellbeing
Many rental buildings are aging and in need of upgrades. Happy Cities worked with Brightside Community Homes Foundation to understand how to better support resident wellbeing when redevelopment happens.
Don’t fear density: BC’s housing targets can be a wellbeing win
More housing is coming for 10 B.C. municipalities. Here are three ways that density can boost community health and wellbeing.
How to design a dementia-inclusive community
New planning and design guidelines to boost wellbeing for people living with dementia, from Happy Cities and SFU.
High on ice: Winter placemaking in a northern city
Embracing a winter climate to promote arts, culture, and community in Fort St. John
Should we design cities for loneliness?
New research explores how cities can combat loneliness—by normalizing it.
Community engagement is failing us. Here's how to fix it
Four ways to include more diverse community members in planning processes.
How listening to kids leads to better urban design
When we engage youth in city planning, the results benefit everyone.
Seven lessons for implementing social activities in rental housing
Social activities for neighbours can help build a sense of community, boosting health, happiness, and resilience in multi-unit buildings.