Six community stories provide practical tips on how placemaking can support health, reconciliation, economic resilience, climate action, safe spaces for youth, and more.

Happy Cities and Meaningful Access Consulting worked with the City of Whitehorse to assess and improve the City’s snow and ice control policy for accessibility.

An cohousing project offers a promising, missing middle solution to Vancouver’s housing and social isolation crises.

Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour Collective worked with five cities and one First Nation to co-create policies for social well-being in multi-unit housing.

Happy Cities, in collaboration with researchers from Simon Fraser University, has developed a new guide on how neighborhoods can better support individuals living with dementia.

Rossland, nestled in BC's interior, boasts world-class skiing, stunning scenery, and a welcoming community. With a charming town center, it's becoming an increasingly popular choice for residents seeking a close-knit community and picturesque surroundings.

Indeed, some of the most creative ideas often originate from the youngest members of the community.

Denser cities offer potential for stronger social networks but also pose challenges like overcrowding and loneliness, especially in multi-unit housing. Effective design and social programs can alleviate these issues and mitigate high living costs.

COVID-19 hit Canada's main streets hard, with closures devastating small businesses. Immediate action is needed, but inclusive planning is crucial for safer, stronger, and more inclusive long-term improvements.

Mexico City boasts two of the world's largest urban parks: Chapultepec and San Juan de Aragon. These expansive parks feature green spaces, lush forests, and various amenities including playgrounds and skate parks, providing residents with ample opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

Happy Cities collaborated with the City of Rotterdam to address mobility and public space needs in the Bloemhof neighborhood, focusing on marginalized groups. Through extensive on-site and remote engagement, we worked directly with residents to develop practical walkability solutions.

In January 2019, the United Arab Emirates introduced a pioneering national community design policy, aiming to create happier, healthier communities across the country.

Multi-family housing complexes are urban hubs. Boosting sociability requires thoughtful design and community engagement, fostering stronger connections.

Happy Cities collaborated with Colorado partners to conduct a Happy Mapping Audit at the Clear Creek School District site in Idaho Springs. This initiative is part of the town's efforts to explore opportunities for economic diversification and expanding its tax base.

The location and design of multi-family housing significantly affect local relationships, neighborhood trust, and residents’ sense of belonging, impacting social isolation, a global public health concern in cities.

We co-facilitated a workshop for the Dubai 2021 Plan, aiding in design criteria development and KPIs for happiness. Our input influenced a pilot neighborhood project.

This question served as inspiration for our experiment in Vancouver, Canada, where we measured the impact of colorful or lush interventions on people's well-being.

In summer 2016, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) initiated a transformative project to envision Vancouver's Granville Island in 2040. Despite its storied success as a hub where arts, industry, and surprises intersect, a refresh was necessary to ensure its continued relevance for the future.