Residents' priorities for urban quality of life
The Global Residents Study was conducted in September 2026 to bring residents' perspectives directly into the methodological review of the Happy City Index 2027. The study explored what people consider most important for a good quality of life in cities, which areas they believe require the greatest improvement, and which dimensions of everyday urban experience may not be fully captured by conventional city rankings.
Bringing residents' voices into the Happy City Index 2027
The study was designed as an international consultation supporting the review of the Happy City Index methodology. Its purpose was to understand which aspects of urban life residents themselves associate with a good place to live, identify the areas they believe cities should prioritise for improvement, and explore whether important elements of lived urban experience are insufficiently reflected in conventional city rankings. The findings provide an additional resident-centred perspective for reviewing the themes and indicators used in the Happy City Index 2027.
Most frequently selected aspects of city life
Affordability and safety appear most frequently among the recorded selections, followed by access to nature, employment, environmental quality and public transport.
Which areas should cities prioritise over the next five years?
The pattern changes when residents are asked to think specifically about improvement. Housing affordability and employment become especially prominent, with transport, safety and trust in public institutions also appearing strongly.
| Priority area | Share of all participants |
|---|---|
| Affordable housing & cost of living | 15.1% |
| Employment opportunities & fair earnings | 13.5% |
| Good public transport | 9.7% |
| Safety & security | 8.6% |
| Trust in local government & public institutions | 7.3% |
What matters most is not always what requires the most improvement.
The study distinguishes between two different questions: the features that make urban life good and the areas residents believe require action. This distinction matters when interpreting urban performance.
The current six-area structure remains relevant.
Responses across the six existing Happy City Index areas support retaining the overall structure while reviewing selected indicators within individual themes.
Residents are asking for better measurement of lived urban experience.
The open responses suggest that conventional city statistics do not always capture how urban conditions are experienced in everyday life. Residents repeatedly referred to belonging, perceived safety, convenience, access, social interaction and the ability to participate in city life without unnecessary barriers.
Recurring themes from open-text responses
Several themes repeatedly appeared in residents' own descriptions of what a global city index should pay greater attention to.
Belonging and social connection
Respondents referred to relationships with neighbours, community participation, loneliness and the broader feeling of belonging to a place.
Affordability beyond housing prices
Comments suggest considering the relationship between income, housing quality, everyday costs and the ability to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
Perceived everyday safety
Residents described safety as the ability to walk alone, use public transport and move around the city confidently, including at night.
Practical accessibility
Good mobility is not only about infrastructure. It is also about whether residents can reach shops, schools, services, employment and social activities conveniently.
Nature as an everyday resource
Green spaces were described as places for exercise, calm, recreation, social interaction and psychological restoration, rather than simply as an environmental asset.
Free and low-cost social spaces
Some respondents highlighted the importance of public spaces where people can meet, spend time and participate in city life without being required to consume or spend money.
The findings support refinement rather than a complete redesign of the Happy City Index.
The study reinforces the relevance of Citizens, Governance, Environment, Economy, Health and Mobility, while highlighting opportunities to improve how the Index captures housing affordability, perceived safety, social connection, access to public and social spaces, practical mobility and residents' lived experience of the city.
