Purpose This paper examines two emerging paradigms in urban studies–happy cities and digital placemaking–which have developed separately as approaches to creating better urban environments. The aim is to investigate literature on the taxonomy of opportunities and challenges in integrating digital placemaking and the happy city paradigms. This investigation can provide procedures that support decision-making, enhance relevant knowledge domains, and inform practice. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a systematic literature review using the Scopus and Web of Science databases to examine the intersection of digital placemaking and the happy city paradigm as addressed in the literature. The initial data analysis employed VOSviewer to analyse 312 articles and identify key themes and research trends. Subsequently, a content analysis of 28 selected papers was conducted to identify opportunities and challenges in addressing the themes from the literature on the impact of digital placemaking on the happy city. Findings The analysis revealed that digital placemaking has a significant impact on a happy city. The results from VOSviewer ended with four themes: technology, sustainability, well-being, and urban design practices. The content analysis investigated a taxonomy of opportunities and challenges. The findings underscore the need for a set of theoretical procedures to guide decision-makers, practitioners, and municipalities in integrating digital placemaking and the happy city paradigm. Originality/value The theoretical and conceptual contribution of this study is to propose a taxonomy of the integration between the happy city and digital placemaking. The contribution also extends to identifying the opportunities and challenges in their integration in practice. The added value of this taxonomy, based on literature data, lies in six actionable procedures for decision-makers, urban practitioners, community organisations, and researchers. A clear understanding of integration can inform the design of urban environments that promote both subjective and objective well-being.
Ghonem et al. (Sat,) studied this question.