Flourishing Cities - Beyond Happiness

The need to more clearly define and measure human wellbeing has thrown up some very interesting cultural challenges. It has revealed that, despite being members of the same species, our different cultures and backgrounds have resulted in very different ideas about what a ‘Good Life’ looks like. In Western society it has become increasingly associated with material wellbeing and success of the individual, whereas in other areas of the world it is more about ways of living meaningfully, sustainably and in alignment with the natural world.

As ever, what we are really seeking is a sensible balance between the two.

Through revealing the interconnected nature of human development, evolution, behaviour and sustainability, the Flourish Model aims to provides an interdisciplinary road map explaining the relational foundations of human capacities and potential and how these promote and optimise sustainable wellbeing. It promotes the need for a new ‘Ecology of Wellbeing’ that better conveys the vital importance of protecting early development with our need to understand human flourishing as a dynamic and highly interconnected process.