Geography and happiness: a space and place approach

In this chapter, we examine the relationship between geography and happiness. We analyse parameters ranging from first nature geography such as air pollution or green spaces, to socio-spatial inequalities. We conclude that the economic geography of happiness research suggests that happiness is influenced by various contextual factors, namely, individual, neighbourhood, regional, and country-level characteristics. Distance also proves it has a vital role in determining an individual's happiness either as commuting time or holistically a change of natural environment. We present the emphatic significance of green spaces and the role of nature in general, especially in urban areas, and we highlight the importance of regenerating areas with the availability of parks and green spaces in mind. At the aggregated level, we further present evidence showing the interdependencies, cluster and spill-overs effects of areas in terms of their happiness.