In a city so dark and suffocating that calling it the capital of a nation feels almost embarrassing, millions of citizens are barely holding on - living from one day to the next, burdened by debt, and with little reason to feel hopeful. The air is thick with pollution, the streets choked with endless traffic, and the system crippled by corruption and inefficiency. Hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, and the country is alarmingly close to topping global statistics in cancer and suicide rates. In such an environment, speaking of happiness feels almost naive.
Yet, the aspirations of Mongolia’s 3.5 million citizens are not extravagant. They seek something fundamentally human: a peaceful, decent life. Happiness, for most, is simply being able to raise their children in safety and good health, or in a city with clean air, open green spaces and streets free from congestion and daily stress. There is a growing sentiment that the government’s role should not be to insert itself into every aspect of life, be it handing out free food in the city square or running entertainment and service sectors under state control. What citizens desire is not dependence, but dignity, or an environment where they can thrive independently, not survive through state charity. Consider the reality for many of Mongolia’s youth. Instead of focusing on education, broadening their worldview, or pursuing innovation, they are consumed by anxiety over how to afford an apartment or a car. This is a tragic misdirection of potential and ambition. 
A truly livable city is measured by more than just infrastructure. It is defined by its quality of life, safety, access to education and healthcare, environmental sustainability, and efficient transportation. These are not luxuries, they are necessities for a capital city worthy of its name. If we are to build a future where Mongolians can live, not just exist, then we must reimagine our priorities. The path to happiness begins with clean air, honest leadership, and systems that serve people, not hinder them. 
Last year, Vienna, Austria, was once again named the most livable city in the world, followed by Zurich, Copenhagen, Vancouver and Melbourne. These cities earned top rankings not by coincidence, but by committing to principles that define urban well-being: clean air, public safety, rich cultural life, reliable public transportation, technological advancement and strong economic foundations. In Asia, Tokyo and Seoul stood out - examples of how densely populated cities can still prioritize livability and happiness through innovation, discipline and civic responsibility. 
Meanwhile, Mongolia ranked 77th out of 143 countries in the World Happiness Report, which is a below-average position and a steep 16-place drop compared to the previous year. Our nation is steadily drifting further away from the ideals of a happy, prosperous society. One of the key insights from the report is that trust and generosity between citizens play a central role in overall happiness. It’s not just about infrastructure or income, it’s about social trust. As the report poignantly notes, “Believing that someone will return your lost wallet is a strong indicator of a society’s happiness.” Sadly, in our country, the opposite is often true. Not only is there little hope of recovering a lost item, many people don’t hesitate to take what isn’t theirs. This speaks to a deeper erosion of social values, where trust and compassion have been replaced by indifference and survivalism.
People live with greater peace and contentment in places where thefts, crimes and violence are rare. In Sydney, for instance, the number of police officers is relatively low, not because crime isn’t taken seriously, but because citizens largely adhere to the law on their own. Respect for public interest is deeply ingrained, and human life is held in the highest regard. When a person dies in an unfortunate or preventable way, the media and public respond with urgency and empathy. Contrast that with our situation: in Mongolia, traffic fatalities, household accidents, preventable illnesses and deaths caused by systemic failures are treated as routine. The normalization of such tragedies reflects a society where human life has become undervalued. and where happiness has little room to grow. Where do our public representatives stand on these pressing issues? It is time to present their position clearly and thoughtfully. 
B.Naranbaatar: UB is like soum center
CEO of the Pusk Dro LLC and Engineer B.Naranbaatar: One of the most pressing frustrations for residents of Ulaanbaatar stems from the lack of proper urban planning and the unregulated, chaotic sprawl of construction across the capital. Since the early 1990s, buildings have been erected arbitrarily, without adherence to a cohesive vision or master plan. What began as spontaneous development has now evolved into dense, disorganized “concrete jungles’ that have reshaped the city’s landscape.
At the heart of any functional city lies a comprehensive land use and zoning plan. But Ulaanbaatar lacks both. Business owners often acquire land with one goal: to maximize profits by building upward and filling every available meter. There are no clear guidelines for where industrial zones should be established or which areas are suitable for residential development. The absence of such fundamental planning principles has led to an imbalance that affects every aspect of urban life.
For instance, in a well-planned city center, there might be a zoning ratio, such as 70 percent green space and 30 percent built area to ensure sustainability and livability. In Ulaanbaatar, no such standards are enforced. While building norms and regulations technically exist, the relevant authorities often fail to implement them. This lack of oversight creates a free-for-all environment where decisions are made in isolation, coordination is nonexistent, and the overall urban fabric deteriorates.
From an aerial view, the city looks less like a thoughtfully developed capital and more like a scattered heap of concrete. Compounding this is the weak and fragmented approach to urban redevelopment. There is no unified concept or long-term vision. In place of structured renewal projects, we see patches of outdated mud-brick buildings still called “townships”, juxtaposed awkwardly with modern high-rises.
Public spaces are another casualty. Pedestrian streets and open squares are being neglected or completely abandoned. The capital functions more like a rural soum center, where all administrative functions are concentrated in one place, creating bottlenecks and inefficiency. In contrast, other developed nations have taken a smarter approach. Japan, for example, has divided Tokyo into 23 special wards, each functioning with the autonomy of a city. Decentralization allows services to be delivered closer to where people live, easing congestion and improving overall quality of life. Unfortunately, in our capital, government officials often seem unclear about their responsibilities. Citizens and business owners alike are exhausted from endlessly knocking on doors, trying to find someone who can make decisions. The system is confusing, disjointed, and unresponsive.
Kh.Badamlyankhua: Energy reform is essential
Mongolian citizen living in Australia, who holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of New South Wales Kh.Badamlyankhua: A city that is centered around its people can truly be called a happy city. In contrast, Ulaanbaatar still faces an overwhelming number of challenges that prevent it from becoming such a place. Having lived in Australia for the past seven years, we have experienced firsthand what it means to live in a city that genuinely cares for its citizens. Here, the value of life is paramount. Freedom, public health, the dignity of labor and respect for one another are not abstract ideals but guiding principles of everyday life. People follow rules not out of fear but out of a shared understanding that those rules protect everyone. Safety standards are not optional, they are deeply linked to the well-being of society.
Take road infrastructure, for example. Australia leads the world in road signs, markings, and traffic safety systems. Why? Because human life matters. Everything is designed with the citizen in mind, making daily life simpler, safer, and more dignified. This isn’t just a matter of policy, it’s a cultural choice to prioritize people. Mongolia, too, has the potential to solve its urban problems if we begin with the same mindset. If we put human life, health and freedom first, solutions will follow, not only through funding or government intervention, but through collective will and citizen involvement.
Happiness should not be measured solely by high-rises, shopping malls, or luxury developments. It is defined by how comfortable and safe ordinary citizens feel in their everyday lives. And at the very foundation of happiness lies health. But how can we talk about health in a city where the air is toxic, the water polluted, and the streets and squares are left unclean? Ulaanbaatar’s environmental conditions make healthy living nearly impossible. Without addressing the root causes, we cannot build a happy or sustainable future.
Energy reform is also essential. Without solving our energy issues, we won’t eliminate smog or traffic congestion. At the very least, stricter vehicle inspections and emissions standards could help reduce pollution. In Australia, highly polluting vehicles are simply not allowed on the roads. Waste management is another critical area for improvement. We need a modern system that separates and collects waste efficiently, on time, and with the right equipment. Garbage trucks, recycling stations, and containers all require urgent upgrading. But again, this cannot happen without citizen cooperation and shared responsibility.
And let’s not overlook the soul of the city: its public spaces. Walking streets, parks, playgrounds and public toilets are the heartbeat of any livable environment. These are the places where people find peace, move freely, and connect with each other. In Sydney, every district is equipped with libraries, clean public restrooms, and green spaces where seniors can exercise, children can play, and young people can bike or run. What makes the atmosphere of a city feel alive is not its skyline, but its trees, its water features, its colors, and the gentle sound of birds and flowing streams. If we truly want to call Ulaanbaatar a city worthy of its people, we must begin by creating such an environment: one that supports health, invites happiness and respects the rhythm of human life.
B.Enkhbayar: Safe environment improves people’s well-being
Director of the School of Humanities of the Otgontenger University and  Associate Professor, Dr. B.Enkhbayar: Economic growth and the rapid construction of buildings and facilities alone do not make a city happy. A truly livable city is defined by a range of factors, such as citizen satisfaction, safety, mental well-being, social connection and environmental comfort.
Studies by the World Health Organization and the Center for Positive Psychology show that people living in clean, safe, and nature-rich environments are 20 to 30 percent more satisfied with their lives. Cities that offer safety, low crime rates, green spaces, parks, sidewalks and peaceful surroundings create the foundation for a happy urban life.
Beyond physical comfort, access to nearby health and education services, as well as spaces for cultural and intellectual development, such as theaters, museums, libraries, and training centers, enhance creativity, fulfillment and social inclusion. When inequality is reduced and social trust is strengthened, happiness naturally rises.
Canadian urbanist Charles Montgomery captured it best, saying, “A city is not just a building. It is a reflection of human psychology.” In his experimental “Narrou City” project in Vancouver, simple changes, like more sidewalks, green areas, community lunches, led to dramatic improvements: family relationships strengthened by 15 percent, civic participation doubled, and stress dropped by 25 percent. Ultimately, a happy city is not just built from concrete and steel, it’s shaped by the values, relationships and shared purpose of its people. Cleanliness, respect for public property, good neighborly conduct and active citizen involvement are just as important as infrastructure. And while positive psychology suggests that individuals can find happiness even in tough environments, it becomes much easier when the city itself supports well-being.
T.Zolzaya: City that silences dreams
Master’s degree student at the School of Political Science, International Relations and Public Administration of the National University of Mongolia T.Zolzaya: Ulaanbaatar has become a city that quietly denies the dreams of its young people. Everyone has aspirations, but for many of today’s youth, those dreams are being set aside just to survive. Ambitions are buried beneath mortgage debt, swallowed by high-interest salary loans, and lost in the endless hours spent in traffic. This is the day-to-day reality for too many young Mongolians.
Opportunities for personal growth are few and far between. Instead, young people are forced to channel their energy into simply securing life’s most basic needs: food, shelter, safety and health. It is a constant cycle of survival, not fulfillment. While public officials and politicians often encourage the youth to “dream big”, the harsh truth is that those dreams rarely find space to take root. A system entangled in corruption and conflict of interest leaves little room for honest work, let alone innovation or aspiration.
Yet, amid these frustrations, there is still hope. There is hope in the belief that a better city is possible - a city that genuinely listens to the voices of its youth, that creates spaces for education, cultural expression, entrepreneurship, art and technology. A city where dreams aren’t dismissed as luxuries, but supported as necessities for a brighter future. A truly happy city is not one that distracts its people with temporary comforts, but one that supports them in building meaningful, long-term lives. It begins with leadership that doesn’t just speak to its citizens, but listens and responds with action. Only then can we move from a city that stifles potential to one that sets it free.

Published Date:2025-04-24