May 14: Inspire lecture on Happy Cities


Charles Montgomery, urban experimentalist and author of Happy City, believes that happiness should be a city’s primary goal for its residents. His research and experiments have shown that trust and positive social connections are imperative ingredients for urban happiness. But U.S. cities have been “designing social connections out of our lives” for the past half-century.

As populations grow and cities become more dense, Montgomery asks: How can we build more sociability, and thus more happiness, into cities of the future? What kinds of choices would residents make if we felt more trust and empathy towards our neighbors? What other goals can we meet – like strengthening our economies or combating climate change – if we prioritize happiness?

We’ll explore these questions and more with Charles Montgomery at the season finale of Green Building Alliance’s Inspire Speakers Series. Charles will be joined on stage by Chris Koch, CEO of the Design Center. Where Charles offers examples and experiments from happy cities around the world, Koch offers local opportunities for addressing happiness through the lenses of sustainability, equity, and livability.

5 – 8 p.m. in the Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at Hill House Kaufmann Center, 1825 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.  Doors open at 5 p.m. to enjoy food, beer, wine, networking, and music.  Presentations begin at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $20.  If this does not fit your budget, please contact us and we can arrange for a discounted rate.  Learn more and register here.

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