In response to Metro Vancouver's housing crisis, British Columbia announced new legislation in November 2023. This includes legalizing three to six units per lot province-wide and designating areas near rapid transit stations as "transit-oriented development" zones. Cities in these areas must allow taller residential buildings and eliminate parking minimums.

Happy Cities has dedicated over a decade to researching the connections between urban design and well-being. Our efforts culminated in a cutting-edge community assessment tool. This tool evaluates four design realms and tracks over 80 evidence-based criteria to gauge a project's impact on well-being.

In aspiring to become the region's creative hub, Fort St. John aims to ensure everyone can engage in arts and culture. Tasked with crafting its inaugural Arts & Culture Framework, Happy Cities will steer the city's efforts in supporting events, facilities, funding, and more over the next decade.

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.

The City of Vancouver initiated an international design challenge to address the vulnerability of waterfront areas, such as False Creek, to climate change impacts like sea level rise and flooding. This aims to envision a more resilient future for the area.

Amid rural Nova Scotia's population decline, Bridgewater bucks the trend with growth, thanks in part to its cohesive, human-scale town core.

Amid the pandemic, Richmond swiftly implemented the Expedited Temporary Outdoor Patio Program, enabling local businesses to expand seating areas safely. This innovative measure supported businesses, ensuring compliance with COVID-19 public health orders.

Halifax grapples with a housing crisis exacerbated by low-density, car-centric suburbs lacking transit and public spaces. Happy Cities aims to design a model, transit-oriented, walkable community in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, offering a sustainable solution for suburban development nationwide.

In 2021, the City of New Westminster initiated projects in the Uptown neighborhood to create safe, comfortable, and accessible walking, wheeling, and cycling corridors and public spaces for people of all ages and abilities.

Boost usage of your city's greenway or bike lane by involving residents and stakeholders in creating eye-catching activations along the route, such as art installations. Transform streets into vibrant public spaces!

In Downtown Vancouver, 70,000 residents and 140,000 workers coexist, yet many feel increasingly isolated despite digital connections. Crowded public spaces offer amenities but exacerbate social distance.

Transportation decisions extend beyond mere movement; they profoundly influence people's lives, impacting their health and happiness. Decades of global research highlight the far-reaching effects of transit spending decisions, emphasizing the interconnectedness between transportation policies and individual well-being.

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

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.

Governments and city-builders must translate decades of happiness research into actionable strategies for human wellbeing. They need pragmatic approaches and inspirational examples to guide their efforts.

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.

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.

British Land, the UK’s largest real estate investment trust, is committed to improving wellbeing through its development and placemaking practices. We helped the company to pursue this aspiration through a collaborative program of research, recommendations, site audits and workshops.