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Sustainability Through Happiness: A Framework for Sustainable Development
Author(s) -
Cloutier Scott,
Pfeiffer Deirdre
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1099-1719
pISSN - 0968-0802
DOI - 10.1002/sd.1593
Subject(s) - happiness , sustainability , sustainable development , psychological intervention , quality of life (healthcare) , environmental economics , psychology , sociology , business , economics , social psychology , political science , law , ecology , biology , psychiatry , psychotherapist
Happiness is commonly thought of as an individual characteristic for which each person is solely responsible. However, happiness is also a community characteristic influenced by factors external to the individual. This article offers an alternative sustainable community development framework that focuses on improved opportunities for happiness. Key components of the framework include happiness visioning, public participation, a happiness profit inventory, and systems planning and sustainability interventions. Lessons learned from applying this framework to a neighborhood in a fast‐growing region in the southwestern United States are drawn. Ultimately, happiness offers a universal measure focused on the quality of human life and a community development framework that may translate to a sustainable future. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment