Building a Better Bend Launches 2026 Lecture Series with 'Happy City' Talk

The inaugural event will explore how urban design can foster community connection and wellbeing.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:18pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm tones showing the blurred silhouettes of people gathered in a public plaza or park, with soft pools of light and color creating a sense of community and connection.The upcoming "Happy City" lecture aims to inspire Bend's urban planners and residents to design public spaces that bring the community together in joyful, meaningful ways.Bend Today

Nonprofit organization Building a Better Bend is launching a 2026 lecture series that will kick off with a talk titled "Is Bend Building a 'Happy City?' The Science & Design Secrets of Happy Cities." The event will feature a presentation and discussion with urban planning expert Mitchell Reardon, who has worked on projects in cities across North America and Europe. The talk will examine how urban design can promote social life, play, and overall wellbeing in Bend.

Why it matters

This lecture series is particularly relevant as Bend undergoes several transformative development projects in its core, including the future City Hall site, the Bend Central District, and the Korpine site. The discussion will explore how public-private partnerships can help integrate public spaces with private development to create more vibrant and connected neighborhoods.

The details

The "Happy City" talk is scheduled for May 7th from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. at the OSU-Cascades Ray Hall Atrium. Tickets cost $10 and are required due to limited capacity, though a recording will be made available to the public afterward. Key topics to be covered include designing spaces that promote social life and wellbeing, the role of plazas and gathering spaces in building community, and how public-private partnerships can deliver meaningful, people-centered places.

  • The "Happy City" talk is scheduled for May 7, 2026.
  • The 2026 Building a Better Bend lecture series will launch with this inaugural event.

The players

Building a Better Bend

A nonprofit organization in Bend, Oregon that is launching a 2026 lecture series focused on urban design and community wellbeing.

Mitchell Reardon

An internationally recognized urban planning expert who has worked on projects in cities across North America and Europe, including Park City, Utah and Rotterdam, Netherlands.

First Interstate Bank

The presenting sponsor of the Building a Better Bend 2026 lecture series, including the inaugural "Happy City" talk.

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What they’re saying

“This lecture is an opportunity for Bend residents to engage with cutting-edge ideas in urban design and consider how we can build a more connected and joyful community.”

— Building a Better Bend Board

What’s next

The Building a Better Bend board highlighted that this lecture series is particularly relevant as Bend undergoes several major development projects in its core, including the future City Hall site, the Bend Central District, and the Korpine site. The discussion will explore how public-private partnerships can help integrate public spaces with private development to create more vibrant and connected neighborhoods.

The takeaway

As Bend continues to evolve, this lecture series provides an opportunity for the community to engage with innovative ideas in urban design and consider how the city can be planned and developed to promote social connection, wellbeing, and a higher quality of life for residents.