by Kirk Hovenkotter
What is the purpose of a City? To promote economic wealth? To provide greater opportunity for its residents? To create an environment where $1 slices of pizza and 24/7 delivery service can be feasible business models?
Charles Montgomery provides another answer. Happiness. Cities should and can be designed to make their residents happier. To Montgomery, happiness is not an indeterminate concept but one that is defined by an equation, measureable and directly influenced by our built environment. From crowded subways, to the architectural typologies surrounding us, to the spaces we inhabit, our stress levels, generosity, and trust of others is shaped by our urban design.
Happy City is guided by Montgomery’s principle that ‘The greatest of human satisfactions lies in working and playing cooperatively with other people.’ In illustrating how dense urban areas promote this principle, the author makes a strong rebuke of the sprawling, suburban environments that have characterized the last 50 years of North American development. The ‘American Dream’ of private secluded lives on beautiful cul-de-sacs has made the wealthiest society in the world one of the unhappiest.
His rigorous use of urban experimentation leads to eye opening conclusions about our values and society. For example, how much is a friend worth? He states that, ‘Just going from being friendless to having one friend or family member to confide in had the same effect on life satisfaction as a tripling of income.’ Or how likely is it for a lost wallet to be returned? On average people assume a 25 percent return rate, but are shocked to learn it’s closer to 80 percent.
There’s no doubt that Montgomery makes a strong argument for the ability of cities to make us happier, but at present day the benefits of these environments are out of reach for most Americans. He praises the quality of life in cities like Paris, New York and San Francisco, but the happiness these places provide comes with a price tag. As NIMBYism and restrictive zoning policies increase, the suburbanization of poverty continues, low-income American’s will have no other choice than the Dispersed City and a lower quality of life.
‘Happy City’ is an accessible, page turning read as well as a testament to Montgomery’s almost two decades as a journalist. The work is written for a wide range, but can be appreciated by the wonkiest of urban designers to suburban dwellers who are just learning about the field. A wide audience will be necessary if the benefits of our Happy Cities are to be shared by all.