Happy City: Towards a Physiology of Architecture is a book written by Charles Montgomery. The book explores the relationship between urban design and human happiness. The author argues that the built environment has a significant impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. The book is divided into three parts, with each part focusing on a different aspect of urban design and its impact on human happiness.
Part One: The Problem
The first part of the book introduces the problem of urban design and its impact on human happiness. The author argues that the modern city is designed for the convenience of cars and not for people. This has led to the creation of urban environments that are unhealthy, stressful, and unpleasant. The author also argues that the modern city is designed to maximize profit for developers and not to create a sense of community or belonging.
Part Two: The Solution
The second part of the book explores the solution to the problem of urban design and its impact on human happiness. The author argues that the solution lies in creating urban environments that are designed to promote health, well-being, and community. The author provides examples of cities that have successfully implemented these design principles and shows how they have improved the quality of life for their residents.
Part Three: The Future
The third part of the book looks towards the future and explores the potential for urban design to create happy cities. The author argues that the future of urban design lies in creating cities that are sustainable, equitable, and healthy. The author provides examples of cities that are leading the way in this area and shows how their design principles can be applied to create happy cities around the world.
Conclusion
Happy City: Towards a Physiology of Architecture is a thought-provoking book that explores the relationship between urban design and human happiness. The author provides a compelling argument for why the built environment has a significant impact on our emotional and psychological well-being and provides examples of cities that have successfully implemented design principles to improve the quality of life for their residents. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in urban design and the impact it has on human happiness.
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