Join @heyneighbourcollective.ca on March 6th from 10 am-11:30 am PST for the next #Housing That Connects Us webinar, where Stacy Barter, Jenny Konkin, and Claudine Matlo will explore 'Innovative Programs to Build Social Connection in Housing'.
www.heyneighbourcollective.ca/2026/02/hous...
⏳Deadline is just a 1 WEEK away! Submit your proposal to present at the 5th International #PlacemakingWeek in📍Detroit, MI! ✍🏽 Submit yours today! www.placemakingweek.org
#PlacemakingWeek #Detroit #Placemaking #DowntownDet #DowntownDetroit #WeMakeItHappenTogether
Is Halloween the ultimate placemaking?
We visited some local streets to find out 👻
Read more in our latest newsletter: mailchi.mp/happycities/...
Join our newsletter community: happycities.com/newsletter
Canada is spending millions on an ambitious affordable housing program.
If we design right, we can solve the affordability crisis and the social disconnection crisis at the same time!
Crucial lessons from @happycities.com for Minister @gregorrobertson.bsky.social
happycities.com/blog/afforda...
The 44th Vancouver International Film Festival kicks off today!
We're excited to be sponsoring a series of short films at #VIFF2025, portraying snapshots of daily life from cities around the world. We hope to see you there!
Learn more & get tickets: viff.org/whats-on/vif...
A thriving arts & culture scene contributes to healthy, vibrant communities 🎥
The 44th Vancouver International Film Festival is on from Oct 2–12. We're excited to be helping to support #VIFF2025. Check out the lineup of 172+ feature films, 97 shorts, and 128+ premieres! Details: viff.org/festival
"More than just a way to address social isolation and remedy cultural disconnection, [Vancouver's] plazas could become a blueprint for more people-friendly outdoor infrastructure."
vancouversun.com/news/local-n...
How we design better neighbourhoods for aging communities?
We're excited to share an updated version of our dementia-inclusive planning and design guidelines, this time with a broader focus on age-friendly communities 👪
Learn more: happycities.com/blog/new-gui...
What makes some spaces feel safer than others? The answer might be simpler than you think.
Read about the power of placemaking to nurture safer community spaces: mailchi.mp/happycities/...
What makes a street feel safe and welcoming? In Surrey, Canada, placemaking helped a community rebuild its sense of safety after a tragic loss—showing that even simple changes can have a big impact. Read the full story:
happycities.com/blog/surrey-...
Social spaces are just as important as water and electricity for healthy, resilient communities. Why don't we provide them with the same consistency? Our latest story makes the case for a more rigorous approach to social infrastructure: happycities.com/blog/the-cas...
Like trees in a forest, we are healthier when old and young live together and exchange energy with one another. Beautiful essay by Tessa McWatt: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2d66089...
People feel less lonely in buildings that invite neighbours to connect.
Whether a cozy seating nook next to an apartment hallway or a shared courtyard, the homes we live in can help fight social isolation and build more connected, resilient communities: www.nationalgeographic.com/health/artic...
And some community-organized resources and supports:
Filipino Emergency Response Homepage: vanfilemergency.my.canva.site
Filipino Emergency Response Resource: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
offering help: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Requesting help: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
If you or anyone you know has been impacted, here are some resources shared by the City of Vancouver: vancouver.ca/files/cov/la...
Safe streets and celebrations of culture are fundamental to healthy communities.
As planners who work on many open streets initiatives, we are working to understand what additional steps we can take to ensure people's comfort and safety at future community events.
Our hearts go out to everyone—people, families, and Filipino community members—affected by the devastating tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver this past weekend.
I love this story on building age-friendly housing from Michelle Gagnon-Creeley on the team at @happycities.com
Deeply moving, and also very practical!
happycities.com/blog/what-ma...
What kind of home do you envision for yourself as you grow older?
Our latest story shares four strategies for age-friendly homes (drawing on our work with @heyneighbourcollective.ca): happycities.com/blog/what-ma...
We recently joined Cities for Everyone w/ @penalosag.bsky.social to explore the power of #placemaking for happier, healthier, more inclusive communities ✨
Watch here for the full recording, with inspiring stories, free resources, and evidence: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cin2...
What makes an age-friendly home?
Our latest newsletter explores: mailchi.mp/happycities/...
As always, you can join us here! happycities.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
The housing crisis and the loneliness crisis can be solved at the same time:
Modular construction
Canadian wood
Pro-social designs
Faster approvals for market + nonmarket supply
@happycities.com Madeleine Herbert joins experts in Dan Fumano's excellent story:
vancouversun.com/business/rea...
Yes, apartment buildings can be designed in ways that are BETTER for children and seniors than detached homes.
Another banger from @happycities.com
This one includes a link to the age-friendly housing design toolkit.
mailchi.mp/happycities/...
Photo showing the living room of a home with a couch, coffee table, house plants and a dining table. Four pink dialogue bubbles are overlaid pointing out design elements of the space; 1) Ground-level entrance facing a courtyard, 2) Natural lighting and cross-ventilation, 3) Private-public transition, and 4) Flexible space that can evolve over time to meet changing needs. Text on a light pink background reads: “Design toolbox for for social homes: Explore the Building social connections toolkit”
Socially connected homes not only connect us with neighbours—they offer private, comfortable places to recharge.
Download our new housing design toolkit w/ @heyneighbourcollective.ca to design social homes: happycities.com/building-soc...
📸 Driftwood Village Cohousing (Cornerstone Architecture)
Honoured to see our founder @charlesincities.bsky.social, on the @vancouvermagazine.bsky.social Power 50 list, along with some of our heroes—Leslie Shieh, Mark Shieh, Marianne Amodio—for their impactful work on building happier, more socially connected homes: www.vanmag.com/city/power-5...
A community amenity room with a book shelf, children playing at a ping pong table, a group of adults sitting at a long table, and two adults sitting on a couch. Four purple dialogue bubbles are overlaid pointing out design elements of the space; 1) Flexible space that can accommodate different uses, 2) Connection to outdoor amenity space, 3) Shared storage space, 4) Activities for all ages and abilities. Text on a light purple background reads: “Design toolbox for social indoor amenity spaces: Explore the Building social connections toolkit"
Apartment amenity rooms & lounges often sit vacant, used only for special events. This one shows a more social alternative:
Download our housing design toolkit with @heyneighbourcollective.ca to learn more: happycities.com/building-soc...
📸 Marmalade Lane Cohousing (David Butler / Mole Architects)
I have some thoughts 👇
Supportive housing exists because our systems sometimes fail people.
It’s the solution, not the problem.
And we need more of it. A lot more.
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Join Mitchell Reardon from Happy Cities in LA next week to discuss the future of transportation! Hosted by @pepperdine.bsky.social
publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/events/2024/...
View of a community laundry room, office space, and living room with a green sofa and coffee table. Four purple dialogue bubbles are overlaid pointing out design elements of the space; 1) Connected to other activities, 2) Views into other community spaces, 3) Flexible access hours, and 4) Comfortable seating area near laundry room. Text on a light purple background reads: “Design toolbox for social laundry rooms: Explore the Building social connections toolkit”
Can the place where we hang clothes also be a place to hang out?
Download our new housing design toolkit w/ @heyneighbourcollective.ca to learn more! happycities.com/building-soc...
📸 Bayview Hill Gardens, San Francisco, CA (Matt Edge / David Baker Architects)
Video is up for Placemaking & Happier Cities. Watch: bit.ly/4h4W2l5
Next #Cities4Everyone session:
THE BEST CLIMATE ACTIVIST IS A GOOD URBAN PLANNER, my guest, Hélène Chartier.
FREE. Register now: bit.ly/4g6RWZ1
Tue. Feb. 4 at 11am EST/5pm CET
