Despite the urban unrest that has garnered national headlines in recent weeks; many people are still choosing to live in cities as opposed to suburbs. What factors need to be in place for residents to co-exist, and even thrive, in a “happy city?” We’ll pose that question to Urban Experimentalist Charles Montgomery author of the book Happy City. Also taking part in the conversation is Pittsburgh Design Center CEO Chris Koch to fill us in on what can be done to make Pittsburgh a happier city.
Montgomery touches on the key factors in achieving a "happy city":
"The most important ingredient for human happiness is social connectedness, positive experiences with family and friends, and high levels of social trust. The happy city is most of all a social city." -Charles Montgomery
Also in the program, Pittsburgh and Citiparks present their new Spark! film series to engage Pittsburgh's cultural diversity. WESA Celebrates the history of Kennywood, and Rebecca Harris has the business of accommodations.
Spark! Film Series in the Park (starts at 28:20)
Welcoming Pittsburgh and Cinema in the Park have teamed up to bring cultural diversity to the Dollar Bank summer series. Betty Cruz, Director of Special Initiatives at the Mayor's Office and Chris Bashur of Citiparks chose the lineup for the Spark! film series, which aims to initiate conversations between Pittsburghers of all backgrounds through film and engage them in cultural dialogue.
WESA Celebrates Inventing Pittsburgh: Kennywood (starts at 36:45)
The Industrial Revolution brought us the factory system, new fuel sources, new social structures and, as Margaret J. Krauss reports, Kennywood.
The Business of Accomodations (starts at 40:15)
From conventions to tourism, Pittsburgh has become one of the fastest growing hotel markets in the nation. In addition to hotels, bed and breakfasts and inns are also providing accommodation options. This week contributor Rebecca Harris looks at the options of where to stay when visiting the Steel City.
More Essential Pittsburgh can be found here.
