The city is a sensory, emotional, lived experience, yet generally discussed in technical jargon
as a lifeless, detached being. The city houses intense and highly politicized social processes.
Its dense interconnections and sheer heterogeneity have inspired the creation of the current
status of institutions, process of marginalization and social justice. Public space as the spatial
aspect of the public realm is the playground where the society reinvents itself. This research
aims at exploring the aspects of diversity and inclusion in today's cities, and linking them to
the happiness and well-being of their inhabitants.
Segregation and fragmentation are the counterparts of acknowledging, and respecting
diversity and adopting Inclusive policies, let alone creating an "Inclusive city". Differences in
the way space and opportunities are produced, appropriated, transformed and used, reflect
the fragmentations or inclusion of the society. The creation of a happy city depends on a
wellbeing oriented city design and policies. Social inclusion has been proven to have a large
share of effect on mental health and wellbeing.
The research starts off with building a theoretical base through a detailed literature review.
The research then goes to discuss the segregation versus inclusion through the comparative
analysis of public spaces, from different countries across the world, then through the focus
on the public spaces of Egypt. The research results in highlighting the significance of a
thorough study of the heterogeneity of the society for the public space design to be
successful, as well as taking a part in the creation of the happy city.