The journalist Charles Montgomery discusses his new book, Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design (Doubleday, 2013), with Joseph Planta.

Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design by Charles Montgomery (Doubleday, 2013). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Happy City

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

There’s a really engaging book soon to be published, Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design. Its author, the journalist and urban experimentalist Charles Montgomery joins me now to share some of the ideas in the book, taken from his many travels and experiences around the world. That cities are now where most of us live is without question, we’re there—how then do we have better cities, essentially happy ones—that’s Mr. Montgomery’s quest and what he’s found through his interviews with scientists, urban planners, economists, politicians, activists, and others is fascinating stuff. The shape and system of cities are key to what makes us happy. How we move, where we live, and how we interact with one another are all part of the path to happiness. I’ll get Mr. Montgomery to share with us what is in this book. He’s based from here in Vancouver, and his writing has appeared in many magazines and journals worldwide. His first book, The Last Heathen, won the Charles Taylor Prize, among other awards. He was an original team member of the BMW Guggenheim Lab, and he produces programs at the Museum of Vancouver. Visit the websites www.charlesmontgomery.ca and www.thehappycity.com for more. The book is published by Doubleday. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, in Toronto today, Charles Montgomery; Mr. Montgomery, good morning.

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