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Image: Appleby Blue Residential Garden. Photo courtesy of Goddards Landscaping.
How can thoughtful design create a happier, healthier places for everyone? Join us for an inspiring evening to explore how London’s built environment can support happiness and wellbeing for all.
This is the final event of our Happy London project, which considered how wellbeing can be embedded in place-shaping. Throughout the programme, we’ve walked through housing estates, streets and green spaces across the city to find out what a ‘happy’ place looks like. And whose happiness are we prioritising?
Perspectives on building a happier London
How can built environment professionals turn wellbeing into a design principle that improves lives? Industry specialists will share insights from their work, exploring what it means to create a happy London:
Designing for Connection: A ‘Life-First’ Approach to Planning:
Prioritising social, emotional, and environmental needs over technical outputs, this presentation explores how inclusive design can strengthen community ties and improve wellbeing across London, led by Paul Hanna, Chartered Psychologist and Technical Director at Hoare Lea.
Regeneration in Tower Hamlets: Urban Design Strategies Embedding Wellbeing
Through Tower Hamlets Council case studies, this presentation will explore how wellbeing can be embedded as a core principle in urban design to improve health, foster inclusion, and strengthen community happiness. Led by Sripriya Sudhakar, Director of Planning and Building Control at Tower Hamlets.
Designing Age-Friendly Housing: Co-Creating Homes that Foster Independence and Connection
This presentation will explore how co-creating housing with residents can improve wellbeing across developments in London, showcasing practical approaches to designing age-friendly, socially connected communities. Led by Alison Benzimra, Head of Research and Influence at United St Saviour’s Charity.
Proposals for London
In the second half of the event, three Future London Leaders will pitch their bold ‘Proposals for London’, the culmination of six months on the Happy London programme. These short presentations will highlight innovative approaches to creating a more inclusive, connected city:
- Betty Owoo, Be First - London’s Sharing Plate: Using food, culture and community to turn high streets into ecosystems of belonging
- Luke Kon, Royal Docks Team/GLA - Building Second Chances: Specialist housing and skills training to support prison leavers into lasting reintegration
- Izzy Theodoreson, 4OC – Sport, Space and Social Connection: Community-owned football pitches tackling loneliness and boosting local pride.
The session will conclude with a joint panel discussion, where guest industry specialists and Future London Leaders come together to debate the proposals and evaluate their impact and feasibility for London’s future.
Why you should attend
As cities around the world grapple with rising mental health challenges, London is seeking practical, place-based solutions. You'll hear fresh insight into what makes a city good to live in and how the built environment supports belonging, connection and joy.
You’re invited to stay for informal networking and refreshments — a chance to engage with peers and professionals committed to shaping a more inclusive and connected city.
When: Tuesday 23 September, 5pm to 8pm
Where: EC1 (full address shared upon confirmation)
The Happy London project is supported by Countryside Partnerships, Potter Raper and Queen Mary University London
RSVP
This event is free to attend thanks to our supporters, but places are limited and registration is essential.
- Click 'Register now' and fill out the form.
- You will receive an email to acknowledge your request to attend (if you don't see it, please check your junk folder). Please note this email is NOT a confirmation of your place.
- We'll let you know if a place becomes available. This is likely to be two weeks from registration.
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