Charles Montgomery
@charlesincities.bsky.social
Author, Happy City.
Founder, Happy Cities. But speaking only here for myself!
Design + social trust.
🧠🏙️🌈🏔️
Founder, Happy Cities. But speaking only here for myself!
Design + social trust.
🧠🏙️🌈🏔️
Pinned
Hey Bluesky!
Here for evidence-based solutions on design + human wellbeing. 🌇
I'm the author of Happy City and co-founder of the interdisciplinary team at Happy Cities.
My next book digs into ways we can design the world to rebuild social trust. I'm excited to learn from you all.🌱🌃🌈
Here for evidence-based solutions on design + human wellbeing. 🌇
I'm the author of Happy City and co-founder of the interdisciplinary team at Happy Cities.
My next book digs into ways we can design the world to rebuild social trust. I'm excited to learn from you all.🌱🌃🌈
I promise this story will make you happy.
Burly German farmer provides sanctuary for gay sheep. The fashion world discovers him. Now gay sheep wool is all the rage.
Gift link below.
wapo.st/4idK5uI
Burly German farmer provides sanctuary for gay sheep. The fashion world discovers him. Now gay sheep wool is all the rage.
Gift link below.
wapo.st/4idK5uI
I love your sweater. Is it made from gay sheep wool?
Grindr partnered with Rainbow Wool and designer Michael Schmidt to create a fashion show featuring clothing made entirely from the wool of gay sheep. Wait, what?
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I promise this story will make you happy.
Burly German farmer provides sanctuary for gay sheep. The fashion world discovers him. Now gay sheep wool is all the rage.
Gift link below.
wapo.st/4idK5uI
Burly German farmer provides sanctuary for gay sheep. The fashion world discovers him. Now gay sheep wool is all the rage.
Gift link below.
wapo.st/4idK5uI
Nonprofit housing leader @wazaroff.bsky.social joins #Vancouver mayoral race, shooting for @onecityvan.bsky.social nomination: youtu.be/2MTf7QmcEpc?...
My name is William Azaroff and I'm seeking the mayoral nomination with OneCity
YouTube video by William for Vancouver
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Nonprofit housing leader @wazaroff.bsky.social joins #Vancouver mayoral race, shooting for @onecityvan.bsky.social nomination: youtu.be/2MTf7QmcEpc?...
On EVERY platform, low-quality, partisan news posts tend to get more engagement than high-quality news posts. So we all need to look in the mirror.
The study:
Divergent patterns of engagement with partisan and low-quality news across seven social media platforms www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
The study:
Divergent patterns of engagement with partisan and low-quality news across seven social media platforms www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Divergent patterns of engagement with partisan and low-quality news across seven social media platforms | PNAS
In recent years, social media has become increasingly fragmented, as platforms evolve
and new alternatives emerge. Yet most research studies a sing...
www.pnas.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
On EVERY platform, low-quality, partisan news posts tend to get more engagement than high-quality news posts. So we all need to look in the mirror.
The study:
Divergent patterns of engagement with partisan and low-quality news across seven social media platforms www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
The study:
Divergent patterns of engagement with partisan and low-quality news across seven social media platforms www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Man steals a bus...then continues to pick up and drop off passengers like a responsible bus driver.
There's just something about public transit...
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/h...
There's just something about public transit...
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/h...
Man goes for joyride on Hamilton bus, passengers still on board
Police say the incident unfolded around 9 p.m. on Nov. 11, when a bus driver pulled into the McNab Bus Terminal.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Man steals a bus...then continues to pick up and drop off passengers like a responsible bus driver.
There's just something about public transit...
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/h...
There's just something about public transit...
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/h...
A new kind of spatial conflict.
Brussels will work it out, but this story shows that when we make awesome and safe non-motorized spaces, people really do show up.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Brussels will work it out, but this story shows that when we make awesome and safe non-motorized spaces, people really do show up.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Brussels’ Pedestrian Zone Is So Crowded It’s Restricting Bikes
The Pietonnier’s popularity has led to frequent clashes between walkers and riders.
www.bloomberg.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A new kind of spatial conflict.
Brussels will work it out, but this story shows that when we make awesome and safe non-motorized spaces, people really do show up.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Brussels will work it out, but this story shows that when we make awesome and safe non-motorized spaces, people really do show up.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Heyyyyyy, so excited to dive into Life After Cars by the team at @thewaroncars.bsky.social !
Car dependence is not inevitable. We built this hell and, together, we can fix it.
Congratulations @sarahgoldhagen.bsky.social @douggordon.bsky.social @naparstek.bsky.social
Car dependence is not inevitable. We built this hell and, together, we can fix it.
Congratulations @sarahgoldhagen.bsky.social @douggordon.bsky.social @naparstek.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Heyyyyyy, so excited to dive into Life After Cars by the team at @thewaroncars.bsky.social !
Car dependence is not inevitable. We built this hell and, together, we can fix it.
Congratulations @sarahgoldhagen.bsky.social @douggordon.bsky.social @naparstek.bsky.social
Car dependence is not inevitable. We built this hell and, together, we can fix it.
Congratulations @sarahgoldhagen.bsky.social @douggordon.bsky.social @naparstek.bsky.social
What a Mamdani-Style Agenda Could Look Like in Metro Vancouver.
I devoured this insightful read from @khelsilem.bsky.social
Lots for urbanists to debate here.
open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
I devoured this insightful read from @khelsilem.bsky.social
Lots for urbanists to debate here.
open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
What a Mamdani-Style Agenda Could Look Like in Metro Vancouver
What it would take—financially, politically, and institutionally—for Metro Vancouver to match New York’s new progressive vision
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
What a Mamdani-Style Agenda Could Look Like in Metro Vancouver.
I devoured this insightful read from @khelsilem.bsky.social
Lots for urbanists to debate here.
open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
I devoured this insightful read from @khelsilem.bsky.social
Lots for urbanists to debate here.
open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
Britain's best new building is a machine for building social relationships.
This project reflects so much of our work on social wellbeing in housing. Help people connect with neighbours AND the wider community
Bravo!
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This project reflects so much of our work on social wellbeing in housing. Help people connect with neighbours AND the wider community
Bravo!
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
A Housing Complex Designed to Tackle Loneliness Wins Britain’s Best Building
The Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize goes to a London senior housing project that uses social space to tackle isolation among older adults.
www.bloomberg.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Britain's best new building is a machine for building social relationships.
This project reflects so much of our work on social wellbeing in housing. Help people connect with neighbours AND the wider community
Bravo!
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This project reflects so much of our work on social wellbeing in housing. Help people connect with neighbours AND the wider community
Bravo!
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Happy news from what is arguably becoming Metro Vancouver’s best City: an ocean swimming platform!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Oceanfront swimming platform coming to North Vancouver in 2027 | CBC News
The City of North Vancouver is set to build a floating swimming platform along its waterfront that will feature a salt water pool, swimming lanes and lounging areas by 2027.
www.cbc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Happy news from what is arguably becoming Metro Vancouver’s best City: an ocean swimming platform!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Charles Montgomery
Mariahilferstrasse Vienna. Now the highest grossing street in Austria
November 2, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Mariahilferstrasse Vienna. Now the highest grossing street in Austria
Just a lovely, thoughtful essay about Arcosanti and its desert legacies:
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
What a 1970s Commune in Arizona Got Right About Desert Urbanism
Architect Paolo Soleri’s experimental city, Arcosanti, was planned for 5,000 people; 50 years later, it holds just a fraction of that figure. But it still has lessons for living in extreme heat.
www.bloomberg.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Just a lovely, thoughtful essay about Arcosanti and its desert legacies:
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Imagine what this happy city hero could achieve at the national level.🥳
It’s official: I’m running for Congress to represent San Francisco!
I’ll fight for our city – against Trump’s takeover, for our values, & for real progress. I’ve delivered on housing, healthcare, clean energy, & civil rights – & I’ll do it again.
Let’s build the future our city & country deserve.
I’ll fight for our city – against Trump’s takeover, for our values, & for real progress. I’ve delivered on housing, healthcare, clean energy, & civil rights – & I’ll do it again.
Let’s build the future our city & country deserve.
October 22, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Imagine what this happy city hero could achieve at the national level.🥳
If we really want safe, vibrant streets, we should focus on design rather than just lower speed limits. neat new work from Carlo Ratti's team: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
There’s a Better Way to Win on Traffic Safety
Backlash has undercut the success of 30km/hour speed limits. New research finds that a less controversial policy can be more effective in slowing cars.
www.bloomberg.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
If we really want safe, vibrant streets, we should focus on design rather than just lower speed limits. neat new work from Carlo Ratti's team: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Charles Montgomery
That feeling when the Governor signs your bill allowing more homes near public transit & you then walk from your 39-unit apartment building to get on the subway.
Housing + transit = perfect combo
Housing + transit = perfect combo
October 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
That feeling when the Governor signs your bill allowing more homes near public transit & you then walk from your 39-unit apartment building to get on the subway.
Housing + transit = perfect combo
Housing + transit = perfect combo
Canada is spending millions on an ambitious affordable housing program.
If we design right, we can solve the affordability crisis and the social disconnection crisis at the same time!
Crucial lessons from @happycities.com for Minister @gregorrobertson.bsky.social
happycities.com/blog/afforda...
If we design right, we can solve the affordability crisis and the social disconnection crisis at the same time!
Crucial lessons from @happycities.com for Minister @gregorrobertson.bsky.social
happycities.com/blog/afforda...
How Build Canada Homes can go beyond affordability — Happy Cities
What Canada can learn from non-market housing communities about social connection, health, and belonging.
happycities.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Canada is spending millions on an ambitious affordable housing program.
If we design right, we can solve the affordability crisis and the social disconnection crisis at the same time!
Crucial lessons from @happycities.com for Minister @gregorrobertson.bsky.social
happycities.com/blog/afforda...
If we design right, we can solve the affordability crisis and the social disconnection crisis at the same time!
Crucial lessons from @happycities.com for Minister @gregorrobertson.bsky.social
happycities.com/blog/afforda...
OK so OpenAI is making "personal deepfakes" a feature of its TikTok competitor.
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
OpenAI’s new social video app will let you deepfake your friends
Make a cameo appearance in someone else’s AI video.
www.theverge.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:37 PM
OK so OpenAI is making "personal deepfakes" a feature of its TikTok competitor.
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Urbanistas ecuatorianos!
Estaré pasando unos días en Quito en diciembre. ¿Hay algún urbanismo transformador o vivienda colectiva que realmente deba ver?
Estaré pasando unos días en Quito en diciembre. ¿Hay algún urbanismo transformador o vivienda colectiva que realmente deba ver?
September 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Urbanistas ecuatorianos!
Estaré pasando unos días en Quito en diciembre. ¿Hay algún urbanismo transformador o vivienda colectiva que realmente deba ver?
Estaré pasando unos días en Quito en diciembre. ¿Hay algún urbanismo transformador o vivienda colectiva que realmente deba ver?
Vancouver! Monumental urbanist and Messy Cities co-author @Zahra Ebrahim will speak at the VPL with @fabulavancouver.bsky.social Oct 14. It's going to be a cracker.
vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/68b20...
vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/68b20...
Zahra Ebrahim: Messy Cities
Does everything in a city need to be perfectly planned? Or can spontaneous solutions help cities thrive? Come hear renowned urbanist Zahra Ebrahim discuss her new co-edited book Messy Cities. She wil...
vpl.bibliocommons.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Vancouver! Monumental urbanist and Messy Cities co-author @Zahra Ebrahim will speak at the VPL with @fabulavancouver.bsky.social Oct 14. It's going to be a cracker.
vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/68b20...
vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/68b20...
Neighbors built a protected bike lane between two Atlanta schools for just $10,000. Awesome! youtu.be/vMZ98Dre_Us?... via @YouTube
We built a bike lane!
YouTube video by Hugh Malkin
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Neighbors built a protected bike lane between two Atlanta schools for just $10,000. Awesome! youtu.be/vMZ98Dre_Us?... via @YouTube
Hey Vancouver urbanists, what do you know about new mayoral candidate Rebecca Bligh?
September 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Hey Vancouver urbanists, what do you know about new mayoral candidate Rebecca Bligh?
Imagine turning a detached home into a 6-story micro tower.
I know so many friend groups who dreamed of living this way over the years.
With zoning changes, design accommodations and single staircase rules, they could have it.
I know so many friend groups who dreamed of living this way over the years.
With zoning changes, design accommodations and single staircase rules, they could have it.
Vancouver (Extra) Special
33' lots
4 and 6 storey single-stair buildings.
3Br accessible flats, adjacent to a park.
(sketchup / ai render)
33' lots
4 and 6 storey single-stair buildings.
3Br accessible flats, adjacent to a park.
(sketchup / ai render)
September 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Imagine turning a detached home into a 6-story micro tower.
I know so many friend groups who dreamed of living this way over the years.
With zoning changes, design accommodations and single staircase rules, they could have it.
I know so many friend groups who dreamed of living this way over the years.
With zoning changes, design accommodations and single staircase rules, they could have it.
Russian disinformation gets recycled and spewed out by chatbots.
Expert says: if you want better answers you have to follow up and ask the chatbot for evidence.
How many ppl will do that?
@holden open.substack.com/pub/mikecaul...
Expert says: if you want better answers you have to follow up and ask the chatbot for evidence.
How many ppl will do that?
@holden open.substack.com/pub/mikecaul...
I Am Once Again Asking You To Use A Balanced, Evidence-Focused Follow-Up
Cutting through Russian disinformation with thirteen extra words
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Russian disinformation gets recycled and spewed out by chatbots.
Expert says: if you want better answers you have to follow up and ask the chatbot for evidence.
How many ppl will do that?
@holden open.substack.com/pub/mikecaul...
Expert says: if you want better answers you have to follow up and ask the chatbot for evidence.
How many ppl will do that?
@holden open.substack.com/pub/mikecaul...
Reposted by Charles Montgomery
if i write another book this probably needs to be the cover (Niranjan Shrestha/Associated Press)
September 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
if i write another book this probably needs to be the cover (Niranjan Shrestha/Associated Press)
Google search is being replaced by AI chat. This means few people will click through to websites that do actual journalism. Google will scoop up ad dollars. Quality will keep sliding.
Me, I pay subscriptions for high quality journalism to avoid AI slop.
aisecret.us/google-com-n...
Me, I pay subscriptions for high quality journalism to avoid AI slop.
aisecret.us/google-com-n...
🛎️ Google.com Nears Sunset
Plus: AI’s “Inbreeding” Problem, Eat the Bottom Tier
aisecret.us
September 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Google search is being replaced by AI chat. This means few people will click through to websites that do actual journalism. Google will scoop up ad dollars. Quality will keep sliding.
Me, I pay subscriptions for high quality journalism to avoid AI slop.
aisecret.us/google-com-n...
Me, I pay subscriptions for high quality journalism to avoid AI slop.
aisecret.us/google-com-n...