Where's Your Happy Place?

Now can you qualify, quantify, and index it? Hazel Borys would like you to do so, and gives this data review to help you get started.

1 minute read

November 13, 2012, 6:00 AM PST

By Hazel Borys


"A couple of weeks ago I floated some ideas on a national Urban Happiness Index," says Borys. "Similar to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index and Bhutan's Gross National Happiness index, which is being contemplated by China, an Urban Happiness Index would tie satisfaction and wellbeing to the form of the built environment. Perhaps an alternative idea would be the Healthy Place Index."

Borys goes on to give a data review of the studies and tools already formulated to measure the satisfaction that place inspires. With the majority of drugs prescribed in the US being antidepressants, it's none too soon.

"So there you have it. Happy now? Depends on where/how you live, I suppose. But what's most important is that finally, more than ever, we now recognize - and are working to improve - the connection between the two."

Thanks to Scott Doyon

Monday, November 12, 2012 in PlaceShakers

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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