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.

Temporary modular housing (TMH) offers a rapid, cost-effective solution for homelessness, with over 2,000 units built in British Columbia since 2017. However, prioritizing resident wellbeing is crucial for creating truly safe and supportive homes.

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!

Happy Cities partnered with New Westminster and Glenbrook Middle School, installing student-designed curb bump-outs supported by Spin. The project aimed to enhance safety near the school and raise awareness of the Glenbrook/Rotary Crosstown Greenway.

Amid COVID-19's economic strain, Vancouver businesses innovate to ensure safe and comfortable reopening experiences.

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.

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.

Cities can balance pandemic restrictions and outdoor enjoyment by ensuring ample space for activities.

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.

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.

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 partnered with Superior, CO, to foster community unity through art and public spaces. "Inspired by Nature: Superior’s Creative Placemaking Master Plan" celebrates local identity and values.

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.

Public space in Vancouver isn't universally accessible; residents encounter barriers based on identity factors like race, gender, sexual orientation, age, income, and ability. Overlapping identities compound these challenges, affecting access, comfort, and safety in city spaces.

In fall 2018, Vancouver enlisted Happy Cities to evaluate its Pavement-to-Plaza initiative. Over 700 residents were surveyed in September 2018 at transformed plaza sites and control areas. The survey assessed subjective well-being factors like social connection, trust, care for place, and sense of belonging using academically-validated measures.

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.