Stories
We share stories and evidence on the link between urban design and human wellbeing.
All stories
Architecture helped me heal. So I helped create a new guide to fight loneliness
We can and must build better buildings — ones that make us healthier, happier and more socially connected.
How do you help an entire nation build happier communities?
There’s one sure way to avoid the negative effects of stressful, dangerous and disconnected communities: start using evidence to guide urban design. We’re helping the United Arab Emirates do just that.
Infusing equity into the World Happiness Report
The 2018 Global Happiness Policy Report is out. This time, the report contains practical solutions for governments and cities interested in boosting wellbeing.
Tackling the crisis of social disconnection
Social wellbeing matters. Feelings of belonging and connection to other people and community are essential elements of human health and happiness.
Testing social trust in Mexico
What happens when you challenge hundreds of young Mexicans to reach out to strangers?
What is urban experimentalism?
I began my search for the essence of the happier city as a journalist, searching for experts among planners, mayors, psychologists and economists.
Machines for happiness
Can art and design make us kinder? Can we design more trust or altruism into the city? These are questions everyone can help answer.By Seth Geiser