IN DEFENCE OF CITIES. Cities are too often described as hectic, exhausting, even unfriendly. We talk about escaping the city — even merely for the weekend — as if we've been sentenced to serve time here. We can't wait to be free from the dreadful hustle and bustle, we lament to our family, friends and coworkers.
But what if urban living was seen not as a drain but as a source of energy, peace and happiness? We know about the boundless opportunities to experience public art, recreation, diverse cuisine, cultural events and so much more. Cities do have a unique ability to invigorate us.
So why the bad rap?
Are cities lonely? It's true that research shows that urban areas are experiencing a crisis of loneliness. But cities themselves aren't inherently lonely, according to Happy Cities, if we don't design them that way. "Studies show that factors including walkable neighbourhoods and access to community spaces, green space, and public transit reduce people’s likelihood of feeling lonely."
Are cities too dense and crowded? All those Instagram Reels where we poke fun at the price of shoebox-sized condos in the city — surely a depressing way to live, right? Back to Happy Cities, whose own survey found that density isn’t tied to lower happiness. "People can be happy in single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes or high-density apartment buildings. And they can be unhappy in these places." What does matter for well-being, they say, is whether people have access to local shops, services, jobs, green spaces and other destinations.
Are cities just plain dirty? Cities are commonly perceived as places of excessive consumption, pollution and traffic congestion, points out UK's Centre for Cities, even though they have a lower carbon footprint than non-urban areas. In cities, denser homes and greater use of public transit and active mobility make urban living more eco-friendly. Cities that prioritize low-carbon public spaces are even more sustainable.
This isn’t about an urban-rural competition. It’s about shifting the narrative — seeing the city not as a place we need to escape, but as one worth embracing and transforming.
So what's the common element when attempting to refute typical complaints? Cities need public spaces that connect us to each other; that provide access to nature; that offer easier access to markets and services. Click the yellow box below to help us get there.
🖊️ ETHAN ROTBERG, SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALST | EVERGREEN
