Principles for urban happiness

Aim of this paper is to present the Happy place method. The definition of urban happiness is strongly interwoven with social, environmental, economic, philosophical studies and, according with the quick transformation of lifestyles, needs and habits, the definition is in continuous change. On the other hand the definition looks to be similar to that used for defining well-being, quality of life, and, in a certain sense, sustainability. Urban happiness could be defined as a character which gives to the place a positive perception in people who live it and which induces them to spend long time there and/or to live there again the same experience. The method aims at identifying urban happiness and the factors which make places happy from the users point of view. Factors which influence happiness are many and not all depend on the beauty of the place. The method consists in surveys, observations, questionnaire. A series of case studies have been carried out which have allowed the construction of a Charter for urban happiness in public space. The paper will show the method, an emblematic case study in Wuhan, China, in the framework of the FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IRSES Project Planning, Urban Management and Heritage - PUMAH, and the aforementioned Charter.