An analysis of geotagged tweets reveals that city dwellers express positive emotions in green spaces and restaurants, while bus stops and transit elicited more frustrated reactions.

What parts of the city spark joy? Which parts fill citizens with sadness or rage? Those were the questions at the heart of a new study that analyzed close to 2 million tweets, geotagged at various locations in London and San Francisco, and compared their locations to the emotions they conveyed. Sri Taylor describes the results of the study in Bloomberg CityLab.
The study revealed that “Green and recreational spaces triggered the most positive emotions for city dwellers, and locations like swimming pools, sailing ports, coastlines and boat ramps had tweets with high levels of joy.” Hotels and restaurants were also associated with positive emotions.
Public transit, sadly, didn’t fare so well, even though London’s transit system is recognized as one of the best in the world. “Tweets made near train stations, bus stops and bridges congested with car traffic conveyed feelings of disgust and anger.” No mention of what emotions tweets posted from office buildings conveyed.
The researchers acknowledge the limitations of the study, but hope that data like this can help cities understand how to improve their infrastructure and public spaces.
FULL STORY: Where People Are Happiest — and Saddest — in Big Cities

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie