‘Are we designing our city for happiness?’ Building a Better Bend launches 2026 lecture series with ‘Happy City’ talk

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Are we designing our city for happiness? That's a question that will be asked by nonprofit organization Building a Better Bend's 2026 lecture series will ask. The inaugural talk, titled "Is Bend Building a "Happy City?" The Science & Design Secrets of Happy Cities," will examine how urban design can foster community connection.

The event will feature a presentation and discussion with internationally recognized urban planning expert Mitchell Reardon. Reardon has worked on urban planning projects in cities throughout North America and Europe, including Park City, Utah and Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The "Happy City" talk, as well as the 2026 lecture series event will be presented by First Interstate Bank.

The talk is scheduled to take at OSU-Cascades in the Ray Hall Atrium, on May 7th from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are required for entry due to limited capacity. A recording of the presentation will be made available to the public following the conclusion of the event.

Here are some key topics to be covered in the discussion:

- Designing for Joy: What research says about designing spaces that promote social life, play, and
wellbeing
- Urban Living Rooms: The role of plazas and gathering spaces in building community
- Making It Happen: How public-private partnerships can deliver meaningful, people-centered
places

The event is particularly relevant to several upcoming developments in the core of Bend. These transformative projects include the future City Hall site, the Bend Central District and the Korpine site located near Crux.

Reardon will also explore how public-private partnerships can help integrate public spaces with private development. This approach is intended to create more vibrant neighborhoods through collaborative design and planning.

The Building a Better Bend board highlighted the importance of community involvement in the city's future. "This lecture is an opportunity for Bend residents to engage with cutting-edge ideas in urban design and consider how we can build a more connected and joyful community," the board said in a statement.