A Conversation Among Five Travelers Concerning Life’s True Happiness came to my mind one day; it is a profoundly meaningful philosophical work that was authored by great Ukrainian philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda. That work’s conceptual framework prompted me to compose a philosophical-urban essay on modern cities and their happy residents. It will be shaped as a dialog between a Ukrainian and a Dane. Why a Dane? Because Denmark regularly comes out as the happiest country in international rankings. Happiness is now called the best indicator of well-being. Ukrainians, unfortunately, lag far behind in these rankings, occupying positions in the second hundred.
Thus, imagine a Ukrainian, specifically a Leopolitan, meeting with a Dane in a quiet and cozy cafe in Lviv.
“You have a very beautiful city,” the Dane thinks aloud. “People are remarkably hospitable and smile often. Are Lviv and Ukraine generally happy as well?”
“Hmm... better leave this question open,” the Leopolitan responds. “Everyone has their own formula for happiness. The question is, how to make everyone happy?”
“The answer is in front of us, or rather around us. The modern city makes its people happy. Danish architect and eminent urbanist Jan Gehl wrote: ‘First we shape the cities – then they shape us.’ I suggest you read his Cities for People. That book will be of use to Leopolitans. One should reject the stereotype that changes depend on narrow elite. Every resident can generate change.”
“Can you tell me about the example of happy Denmark in more detail?”
“Danish happiness, in my opinion, has eight reasons for its success. These are freedom, democracy, trust, civil society, work, work-life balance, prosperity, and security. Each of these values is important, so one should not, for example, limit happiness to work and prosperity alone.
“Happiness of Denmark is made up of everyday lives of its residents. One’s city largely shapes one’s day. And what is your everyday life like? What begins your workday?”
“A trip by a crowded public transportation vehicle. An hour spent on a bus packed with people generates enough ‘happiness’ for the entire day.”
“You need to accelerate ‘Copenhagenization’ of the city, I mean improving the conditions of travel and helping the environment by promoting cycling. Abovementioned Gehl used this term to describe his successful effort to transform a Copenhagen that was overfilled with cars into a comfortable pedestrian-cyclist city.”
“Lviv is working in this direction. The city has ambitions to become the ‘bicycle capital’ of Ukraine,” the Leopolitan notes with a hint of pride in his voice. “Bicycle paths are getting more numerous and the infrastructure is improving. However, not all Leopolitans are in any hurry to change to two-wheelers. We do not have required cycling culture yet...”
“The city is moving in the right direction. You just need more time, effort and responsibility,” the Dane continues. “I mean the government’s responsibility for the coordinated work of the transportation system and the carriers’ responsibility for the serviceability of their vehicles. If the electronic scoreboard indicates that the tram will come in three minutes, then it must do so on time, and not a minute later. Bicycles do not only offer comfort for the residents, but also reflect our environmental responsibility towards future generations. Environmental awareness is an inherent feature of the Danes.”
“Meanwhile, we in Ukraine have a serious problem with waste. In total, legal and illegal dumps occupy 7 percent of our territory. This is a fact. This can be compared to the whole area of Denmark. The waste problem has become particularly acute in Lviv lately...”
“And here again, it has to do with responsibility. You need to dare and act, to build a waste recycling plant. The development of the city is the job and responsibility of local government, business community, and civil society. The local government must think strategically, take care of the welfare and future of the city and not to postpone the issue indefinitely. Local businesses also have to take a broad view: all that paper thrown to a dump could have become a book the next day. Waste recycling is a profitable and promising business worldwide. Meanwhile, all residents of the city need to absorb the culture of sorting waste. Clean city comes as a result of responsibility of its residents.”
“Yes, many Leopolitans are just now starting to think about sorting waste, and some are still ignoring the problem.”
“Responsible civil society is only emerging in your country. One has to understand that the civil society of Denmark was formed not only by the values of freedom and democracy. Importantly, people also have to realize the need to care about each other and the environment.
“But we have been a little carried away by this discussion... Tell me about what comes next in your workday, please.”
“What comes next is grueling work, leaving me exhausted and lacking enough family time. Frankly, it is not well-paid either.”
“Work is one of the determinants of happiness. We the Danes believe flexibility to be an important concept in this context. The Danes tend to shape their work schedule so that there is some time left for the family. High wage is great. However, the ability to combine a career with a successful family is even better. The work-life balance is a key guarantee of happiness.
“I am far from idealizing all jobs on offer in Denmark. Most importantly, every Dane is confident about their future. This confidence is cemented and provided by the social security system. The Danes are used to trusting the government and each other. For example, rural areas of Denmark feature numerous self-service stands with fruits and vegetables. People do not doubt that consumers will pay for the selected item. The Danes also leave their babies in strollers near shops and cafes in the open air while the parents are resting or shopping. The concepts of trust and security are interrelated and fundamental for the residents of Denmark.”
“Some things that are common in Denmark seem utopian in our reality,” the Leopolitan admits.
“What ultimately is the benefit of learning from Danish experience for Lviv? The experience of Denmark involves far more than a model of the waste recycling plant which is in operation on the outskirts of Copenhagen. It is not only the latest technology that will transform Lviv into a European ‘smart city.’ Danish experience is, first of all, about meanings, ideas, and unique lifestyle. First we shape the modern cities – then they shape us. To ‘Copenhagenize’ Lviv, you need to understand why this is necessary first. You need to get people’s minds in order first, and only then bring order to the streets. Trust, responsibility, equality – they form the true foundation of Denmark’s happy cities. This is the result of our philosophical-urban conversation, my friend from Lviv. Good luck!”
The article was prepared for the Blogging Contest held in the framework of the Danish Days in Lviv
