Finding Urban Happiness: Resident’s happiness based on socio-spatial landscape of Naga City, Philippines

Abstract

Understanding the complex relationship between the urban landscapes and human well-being has become increasingly important in the fast-paced urban environments of present-day society. Naga City, located in Camarines Sur in Southern Luzon, Philippines, provides a compelling setting for examining urban happiness. Known for its rich cultural heritage, strong religious identity, and community-centered values, the city serves as a major regional hub for commerce, education, governance, and religion in the region. The City of Naga presents a unique combination of rapid urbanization, active civic engagement, rich cultural heritage and but with an emerging urban challenge. These characteristics make it an ideal case for investigating how socio-spatial environments influences happiness and well-being of urban residents.This study explores the impact of urban landscapes on the happiness of the residents, adopting a multidimensional perception of happiness that extends beyond socio-spatial urban elements to include the emotional well-being, social connectedness and the overall quality of life. A survey involving 312 respondents was conducted to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics, mobility options, access to recreational spaces, and perceived happiness. The survey gathered information on demographic and family profiles, disability status, mobility patterns, public space utilization, recreational activities, community engagement, perceptions of open spaces, and walking habits. The findings revealed that demographic factors including age, employment status, and household income significantly influence satisfaction with living arrangements and overall happiness. Respondents reported generally positive levels of satisfaction with their living arrangements, leisure opportunities, and transportation options. Access to recreational spaces, including parks, nature areas, sports facilities, and public open spaces, emerged as a critical contributor to well-being. A substantial majority of respondents agreed that accessible open and recreational spaces contribute to physical fitness, social interaction, mental well-being, and overall happiness. Walking also emerged as a significant contributor to happiness, with respondents indicating that walking with friends and family and walking in natural environments positively affect their well-being. Likewise, walking in neighborhoods, malls, and to work or school were perceived to enhance happiness. Furthermore, respondents identified financial stability, quality living conditions, work-life balance, social relationships, personal fulfillment, and environmental quality as essential determinants of overall happiness.The study highlights the importance of integrating accessible recreational spaces, walkable environments, strong social connections, and people-centered urban design strategies into urban planning initiatives. The findings contribute to a better understanding of urban happiness in emerging Philippine cities and provide insights for creating healthier, more inclusive, and more livable urban communities.

Keywords: Urban Happiness, Urban Landscape, Well-being. Naga City

eISBN 978-1-913576-24-0. The Authors. Published for AMER by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., U.K. This is an open access publication under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers).