Happy City: Author Talk With Charles Montgomery

Charles Montgomery, acclaimed author of Happy City and one of the world’s 100 most influential urbanists (Planetizen), will visit Kalamazoo to discuss how urban design can create healthier, happier, and more inclusive cities. His talk will take place on Friday, January 31, at 7:30 p.m. at Civic Theatre in Downtown Kalamazoo (329 S Park St), followed by a Q&A session where attendees can engage directly with Montgomery about his work and ideas. Doors will open at 7. 

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Montgomery’s visit is a highlight of the Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 initiative, which invites the community to envision a brighter future for the city. It follows the Imagine Kalamazoo Reads program, a community-wide book discussion of Happy City held during the fall of 2024 and into the winter of 2025. These discussions bring residents together to explore how the ideas in Montgomery’s book can inspire and inform Kalamazoo’s new Strategic Vision and Master Plan. 

In his presentation, Montgomery will explore questions such as: How do the places we live impact our happiness and well-being? How can cities be designed to serve their residents better? What role do social connections play in fostering happier and more resilient communities? Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, and urban design, Montgomery will share insights and real-world examples of how cities can be transformed to maximize human happiness. 

Montgomery is the founder of Happy Cities, a global consulting firm that helps city builders translate the science of happiness into practical strategies for urban development. He has collaborated with organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Guggenheim Museum, and governments around the world, including Mexico City, Auckland, and London. 

His award-winning book Happy City has been praised for its thought-provoking insights. The New York Times wrote, “Happy City is not only readable but stimulating. It raises issues most of us have avoided for too long.” 

Montgomery’s work challenges us to rethink how urban spaces shape our lives and empowers communities to imagine and create cities that are not only functional but joyful. From transforming empty lots into spaces for connection to advising on groundbreaking urban projects, his expertise has inspired cities across the globe. 

Event Details 

What: Presentation by Charles Montgomery, Author of Happy City (with Q&A) 
When: Friday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7)
Where: The Civic Theatre, 329 S Park St 
Why: To explore how urban design can improve happiness and well-being, supporting Kalamazoo’s Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 initiative