Gaffaney, Jaclyn2023-05-222023-05-222017-08-012017-08-29https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/38757What is a thriving city? Is it even possible to raise the well-being of an entire city, and why bother? Recent advancements in positive psychology have made it possible to define, measure, and increase well-being on a much larger scale. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for cities to explore well-being. In order to increase the well-being of the city – cities will need to think carefully about what that means, why it is important, and how they will do it. This capstone posits that cities can define what well-being means for themselves inclusive of: the target (the city, individuals, or other ecosystems, such as neighborhoods), the outcomes (the anticipated results of increased well-being), and the measures (how a city chooses to assess subjective and objective well-being). This capstone proposes that cities can utilize a positive psychology design thinking approach to define these outcomes and create optimal interventions to increase well-being at scale. Through literature review, case studies, and the introduction of a deliberate design thinking approach to applying and measuring well-being, this capstone provides an entry point for city leaders to begin understanding the science of positive psychology and practical application of well-being for their cities and citizens.Literature Reviewpositive psychologywell-beingwellbeingthrivingflourishingcitiescitymunicipalsystemsecosystemcollectivecommunityresiliencegovernmentpublic policyurban designdesign thinkinghuman-centered designmeasurementbig datapsychological interventionApplied Behavior AnalysisCommunity PsychologyIndustrial and Organizational PsychologyInfrastructureMulticultural PsychologyOther PsychologyOther Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public AdministrationPersonality and Social ContextsPolicy Design, Analysis, and EvaluationPublic PolicyQuantitative PsychologyRecreation, Parks and Tourism AdministrationSocial PolicySocial PsychologyUrban, Community and Regional PlanningUrban StudiesUrban Studies and PlanningDissertation/Thesis