Creating happier, healthier, more inclusive communities

Explore our services
The image displays a stylized graphic of a person riding a bicycle in an urban environment. The rider has a baguette and what looks like leaves of corn in the basket. There are simplistic representations of buildings in the background with trees.

Community planning

The image shows a colourful illustration with two adults sitting at a bench—one holding a flower, the other reaching out—while two children play with geometric shapes. It suggests a community or family setting, focused on interaction and play.

Public space design

The image portrays a cross-section of a house with solar panels on the roof, indicating a focus on sustainability. Inside, we see various individuals engaged in different activities: a family with a child, and a woman tending to plants.

Housing policy

The image shows two people seated at an outdoor table under a striped awning, engaged in conversation, indicated by speech bubbles. One person is in a wheelchair, suggesting an inclusive setting. The graphic has a simple and clean design.

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.

Read More →
Wolfville housing accelerator action plan
Wolfville housing accelerator action 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.

Read More →
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.

Read More →
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.

Read More →

"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

See more projects

Featured stories

Stories
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.

Read More →
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!

Read More →
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?

Read More →
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.

Read More →
Streets & transportation, Public space
The case for social infrastructure
Community planning
The case for social infrastructure
Community planning

Social spaces and networks create an essential foundation for healthy, resilient communities. But they’re hard to measure.

Read More →
Community planning
Movie nights, picnics, and art: How Surrey, BC is creating safer public spaces
Public space, Engagement
Movie nights, picnics, and art: How Surrey, BC is creating safer public spaces
Public space, Engagement

To create safer neighbourhoods, offer inviting and vibrant places for community members to gather.

Read More →
Public space, Engagement

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