“Happy cities”, as Charles Montgomery would claim, are those planned with all  people's needs in mind. When “private pleasures" take over “public goods”, and the idea o “buying happiness” prevails within an urban environment, unequal cities are established.

Systemic changes in unequal cities undoubtedly demand government responses, but in critical situations, people take action. NGOs and community leaders do their best to be there, for those in need, when government is not.

Due to my passion for cities, buildings, and the construction industry, I would highlight two volunteering works in which I got involved with: an NGO and a community center that both mitigate inequality in cities, helping people and communities to thrive.

My first volunteering work was for a community center of my hometown in Brazil, called Centro Social Dom João Costa. They would offer arts and technical classes to underrepresented neighborhoods, always giving away food, and organizing events to promote community engagement. Whenever they received donations or grants lending for remodeling or expansions of the center, I would be the professional architect responsible for the drawings, consultancies, and supervisions of construction sites. For the first couple of projects delivered, I was paid a little under the market rate, but as funds and grants lessened over time, my work turned out as 100% volunteering, which made it a very rewarding experience.

The second volunteering work to be noted came after some other random volunteering activities that I got involved with, and is currently ongoing. Since April 14th of 2023, I’ve been working as a construction laborer for the Habitat for Humanity of Pierce County, more specifically in Tacoma WA. It has been a blast to help and engage with the local community; and as the materials, means and methods in America are very different from those in Brazil, I’ve been taking this opportunity to ask questions, observe, and learn, as much as possible, in the construction site.

Government must take action, so cities and people can flourish. But for that, people and communities must be heard, and getting involved is a meaningful first step.