How Do Streets Affect Your City’s Happiness?
In this Streetfilm, Streetsblog publisher Mark Gorton interviews award-winning journalist Charles Montgomery about his fantastic new book, "Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design," which delves into the hard-to-measure question of how the built environment affects our mental wellbeing.
3:41 PM EDT on April 28, 2014
In this Streetfilm, Streetsblog publisher Mark Gorton interviews award-winning journalist Charles Montgomery about his fantastic new book, “Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design,” which delves into the hard-to-measure question of how the built environment affects our mental wellbeing.
Mark and Charles discuss how research from the fields of neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology is helping us understand the relationship between happiness and our surroundings. The film also ends up touching on quite a few New York City places like Times Square, the Lower East Side, and Jackson Heights, Queens.
Clarence Eckerson Jr. is the Director of Video Production for NYCSR's StreetFilms and producer of bikeTV. He loves the color purple, chocolate chip cookies, and enjoys walking, biking, and taking transit. He has never owned a driver's license.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Grubhub ‘Outsourced’ Delivery Work To Skirt City Minimum Wage, Docs Show
Internal documents show that Grubhub, a delivery app owned by Wonder, subcontracted labor to lower paid workers to save money.
March 31, 2026
March (Parking) Madness 2026: Like A Rock Edition
This year's competition journeys to Staten Island, the ultimate Copland. But, surprise, surprise, it wasn't so bad.
March 31, 2026
RIDE-ALONG: A Night On The Road With A Relay Delivery Worker
Delivery workers are among the hardest-working, worst-paid, most-endangered jobbers in town. We rode with one to give you an idea.
March 31, 2026
‘Game-Changer’: Non-Profit Throws Financial Lifeline to Open Streets Program
The Citizens Committee for New York City will provide volunteer groups with an immediate lifeline before the start of the season.
March 31, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines: ‘A Man, A Lander, A Plan Transit’ Edition
The former comptroller unveils his idea for transit if he gets elected to Congress. Plus other news.
March 31, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.