Quality of Life
Only one US city makes the Happy City Index top 50
The list is topped by Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Geneva.
The Nation’s Best Small Cities Ranked by Livability, Affordability
A new list looks at a range of factors from housing costs to entertainment to commute times to rank the most attractive small cities in the U.S.
Singapore: A Model for Longevity and Quality of Life
Singapore's remarkable rise in life expectancy, driven by government policies on health, green spaces, and social cohesion, has earned it the distinction of being named the world's sixth “Blue Zone.”
Iowa Towns Embrace a ‘Shrink Smart’ Approach
Population loss doesn’t have to be a harbinger of doom. Some rural communities are taking small but impactful steps to improve quality of life for their remaining residents.
A Compact, Connected, Clean, and Inclusive Recovery for Mexico
As the Mexican government charts the country’s recovery from COVID-19, a newly published paper charts national solutions to urban transportation and housing challenges that will put Mexico’s cities on a path to prosperity and resilience.
The Surprisingly Important Role of Symmetry in Healthy Places
New research suggests there might be a "symmetry deficit disorder" in today's built environments, with significant impacts on health, well-being, and even sustainability.
Insights From the Latest Livability Index
The latest edition of the AARP Livability Index reveals the U.S. regions with more of the kinds of neighborhoods that offer quality of life benefits for residents of all ages.
As Canada Grows, Transit a Key Component of Success
The population in Canada will increase substantially in the future, and transit planning is crucial to ensuring that cities thrive.
Building Green for Quality of Life Improvements
The quality of life or residents might be the best way to measure the benefits of green building programs, according to the president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Urban and Suburban Lifestyles More Similar Than Thought, Study Says
The differences in the ways people who live in the city spend their time versus the way people who live in suburbs spend their time are few and small.
Report: Urban Planning and Design Neglecting the Needs of Seniors
Many cities aren't planning and designing for their aging residents, despite a world full of examples to model from, according to a new report from the Milliken Institute.
As Cities Densify, New Building Design Strategies Keep Them Livable
Cities need to increase density, but the design of buildings can drastically affect people’s quality of life. Architects are using new tactics and tools to create innovative structures where light, air, and space are not compromised.
The Problem With All Those 'Livability' Rankings
Why is it that smallish cities in western Europe always score so well? Perhaps the underlying assumptions behind ostensibly data-driven "livability" rankings cater to a certain audience and leave most of us out.
5 Exemplary Urban Transformation Case Studies
The finalists from the WRI Ross Prize for Cities have been announced.
The U.S. Cities With the Most Restaurants Per Capita
Metropolitan areas with many options for places to eat offers many quality of life benefits to residents.
Survey Finds High Levels of 'Social Capital' in Toronto
The first comprehensive look at social capital in a Canadian city reveals lessons for planners and more about what connects citizens to their communities.
Report: Cleveland and Akron Showing Strength in the Heartland
While much of the news focuses on declining population and vacant homes, Cleveland and Akron have quietly outperformed many other cities on quality of life.
Report: Location-Based Rent Premiums Are a Good Investment
If the rent is too damn high, it might still be a good investment.
Honolulu, Pittsburgh Lead the U.S. in Livability
Honolulu and Pittsburgh have made a cottage industry of leading the United States on the quality of life index produced by The Economist.
As Canadian Cities Grow, Survey Finds Happiest Canadians are in Smaller Communities
The happiest people in Canada, according to a survey of life satisfaction, tend to live in significantly less dense communities than the least happy.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
