Happiness is a Warm (Sustainable) City: How Urban Design Affects Our Mental Health

Are you ready for a deep dive into the world of sustainable development and mental health? No? Well, too bad! We’re going there anyway.

The United Nations declared in 2012 that happiness and sustainable development go hand in hand. And if you needed any more convincing, mental health and happiness are also closely linked. In fact, mental health is a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 3, “Good Health and Wellbeing.”

But it’s not just about individual mental health — the design of our cities can also play a major role in our overall happiness and well-being. That’s why the 11th Sustainable Development Goal, “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” is so important. It’s closely connected to Goals 1 (No Poverty), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

At a recent symposium called “Design for All,” experts discussed the importance of designing happy and mentally healthy cities. They even suggested adding a specific target for “happiness through city design” under SDG 11. And with the recent COVID-19 outbreak, it’s more important than ever for built environment professionals to prioritize the mental health of our cities.

So there you have it — the key to happiness is sustainable development, mental health, and well-designed cities. Who knew saving the world could be so easy (and enjoyable)?