Elizabeth Farrelly suggests that happiness is only a possible side benefit to the true goal of cities, which is "...getting stuff done and, more importantly, generating the ideas that get stuff done."
Farrelly pooh-poohs livability indexes, saying that cities are about work, and "should never be measured principally in(...) pleasure."
"In a good city, you can feel the ideas in the air. Just walking the streets is exciting because the backstory, the front story and side stories tickle your brain cells. A city is an intellectual adventure in a way that the 'burbs can never be," she writes.
Density, says Farrelly, is key to creating places that is full of ideas and work.
FULL STORY: Be happy, be more interesting, be dense
Waking Up to Seattle's New Density
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Maryland Awards $1.25M in TOD-Related Grants
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
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The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
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The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
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The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
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DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)