Happy Cities has developed a partnership with city planners, health authorities, nonprofits, and academic partners to develop metrics and policy for social infrastructure.
Social infrastructure—such as parks, libraries, and community programs and services—creates a foundation for happy, healthy, resilient communities. (Happy Cities)
How can communities plan for social infrastructure that matches growth?
Happy Cities is developing policy tools and a decision-making framework that municipalities can use to strengthen their social infrastructure planning and support a high quality of life for all residents.
In collaboration with local municipalities, health authorities, community-serving organizations, and academic researchers, we aim to build a shared understanding and definition of social infrastructure, develop metrics to guide social infrastructure planning, and assess the impact of current planning approaches.
Phase 1: Background research and engagement
In 2025, Happy Cities worked with Vancouver Coastal Health to identify metrics for social infrastructure in communities of all sizes. In this first phase, we conducted background research and a policy and data scan of municipalities across B.C. to assess how communities are currently measuring and planning for social infrastructure.
Our team led engagement with several local government partners and health authorities, in addition to provincial and community-based organizations. Through collaboration with academic partners, we developed the foundations for an official partnership for Phase 2 and successfully applied for a Partnership Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Phase 2: SUSI partnership development
Over the next four years, we are excited to be part of a collaborative team to deepen knowledge of social infrastructure across B.C.
The second phase of this partnership project involves deeper collaboration with researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) to develop and refine metrics, conduct in-depth analysis and case studies of current planning approaches, and explore policy tools and resources for municipalities. The resources will equip municipalities to scale up social infrastructure as they grow, supporting liveable, healthy, equitable communities at all sizes.
The Scaling Up Social Infrastructure (SUSI) partnership will work from 2026-2029 to:
Understand the essential role of social infrastructure through new research, case studies, and outreach with communities
Convene over 20 partner municipalities, health authorities, regional districts, and provincial ministries across the Lower Mainland and South Vancouver Island and beyond to generate learnings
Share recommendations to support rapid policy and budget changes to encourage social infrastructure that benefits residents.
This phase received funding from SSHRC and Mitacs.
What is social infrastructure?
Broadly, social infrastructure encompasses a range of public spaces—including parks, community centres, libraries, child care facilities—as well as social programs and networks operate at a local scale. However, most mapping and research efforts focus on physical spaces, often overlooking the social connections, services, and programs that bring these shared spaces to life.
A holistic approach recognizes that social infrastructure is more than just buildings. It includes diverse types of shared spaces, networks, and activities—creating the foundation for vibrant, connected, resilient communities.
Our work explores infrastructure such as:
Non-profit and community-serving organizations (e.g. neighbourhood houses; senior, youth, and family centres; Indigenous services; newcomer settlement services; social enterprise; food programs; etc.)
Arts and culture facilities and spaces
Recreation facilities and spaces, such as community centres and sports facilities
Public spaces, parks, and natural areas
Child care facilities
Libraries
Public washrooms
Project partners
This background research included engagement with several B.C. municipalities, health authorities, and other organizations that are involved in providing or advocating for social infrastructure in the province.
Core partners include:
Dr. Meg Holden, SFU
Dr. Lyana Patrick, SFU
Dr. Kelly Clifton, UBC
Dr. Andi Binet, UBC
Vancouver Coastal Health
Metro Vancouver
Happy Cities
