Commentary, Opinion
From hope to design: Are our cities reflecting what makes us happy?
April 2, 2026 · 0 Comments
By Greys for Green
In our last article, “Nature is Essential to HOPE,” we stressed the importance of connecting to nature. That sense of awe we feel when comparing our smallness to the grandeur of the natural world centers us. It fosters pro-social attitudes, making us more likely to act with care toward one another and toward the planet.
What’s interesting is how this idea shows up in the most popular destinations in urban cities around the world, places like Central Park in New York, Stanley Park in Vancouver, Plaza Mayor in Madrid or La Rambla in Barcelona.
In cities where more than 70 per cent of the population now live, the places people are most drawn to are not highways or parking lots. They are places where nature and community unite, public parks, pedestrian streets and civic squares.
This connection between happiness and urban design is explored by Canadian urbanist Charles Montgomery in his book Happy City. He suggests that what makes people happy in cities points to a few core ingredients that shape our well-being.
- Being around other people
- Connecting with nature
- Walking and cycling instead of driving
- Spending time in places that feel safe, inclusive, and equitable
Encouragingly, current trends in urban design are beginning to reflect this understanding and recognize that development centred around the automobile, with isolated residential subdivisions disconnected from commercial and public spaces, is environmentally unsustainable. It also fails to meet our intrinsic human needs.
Internationally renowned architectural firms such as Arup, led by CEO Jerome Frost, and the Bjarke Ingels Group, founded by Bjarke Ingels, emphasize that urban development projects today are judged not only on form or function, but on how they perform environmentally, socially, and economically.
These approaches align with the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by United Nations Member States in 2015, to set global standards, and encourage collaboration among governments, businesses, industry, and individuals to build more sustainable and equitable communities.
Cities are now focusing more on:
- Thoughtful densification instead of sprawl
- Mixed-use environments where homes, shops, and services are integrated
- Equitable green infrastructure
- Sustainable energy systems
- Public transit that improves connectivity and reduces car dependence
So how does this relate to New Tecumseth, where a majority of the Greys for Green team reside and other surrounding municipalities?
Like some of our neighbours, our town is projected to double by 2050. Will this expansion reflect what we now understand about human happiness and ecological sustainability? Will it prioritize connection to nature, to one another, and to the places we call home? Will it reflect the goals and objectives as set out in official plans? Or will it repeat patterns of the past?
In a future article, we will explore one essential element that Greys for Green believes should be part of this expansion, something that could help ensure our growth becomes a legacy that reflects who we are and what we want our town to become.
Mark your calendar for New Tecumseth’s 3rd annual Earthfest happening the week of April 26. Meet the Greys for Green team at the Town Hall on May 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This week’s Community Voice submission was written by John Wilson, director of Greys for Green. He believes that a greater understanding and appreciation of nature is what’s needed to inspire everyone to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. Contact Greys for Green at contactus@greysforgreen.org or follow on social media.
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