Identifying the Factors Contributing to Happiness Based on the Features of Mixed-Use Urban Centers

Happiness is a broad and complex concept, which has numerous definitions in cognitive sciences. Such definitions have been developed based on human perceptions of this concept in different periods. Many studies have been carried out on the definition of happiness in different fields of study such as philosophy, economics, and especially social sciences. The present study attempts to identify the factors resulting in happiness in mixed-use urban centers based on social studies, which have been conducted in recent decades. Accordingly, urban spaces are described as important places for social relations. One of the reasons for the promotion and development of mixed-use urban centers is the formation of social interactions. Since the number of these centers has been considerably increasing in recent years, it seems necessary to pay attention to them as a place promoting people’s interaction and happiness. The main goal of the present research is to identify the features of mixed-used urban centers contributing to users’ interaction and happiness. The content analysis and observation method were used to investigate the relationship between happiness and social interaction. Further, the development of mixed-use urban centers was investigated by focusing on the case studies in Tehran and examining the fusion of diversity, density, and interactive space design in the form of the building types such as cinema complexes, playgrounds, various stores, restaurants, and food courts; as well as features such as vertical connection, voids, indoor/outdoor connection, security, and shared spaces. In conclusion, based on the happiness criteria set for spaces and by identifying the characteristics of mixed-use urban centers based on past studies, the study found that mixed-use centers play an important role in the improvement of happiness and social interactions for citizens.