From theory to practice, this section provides a rich collection of research, historical context, and theoretical frameworks to ground your understanding of winter cities. Explore foundational knowledge and climate-adaptive planning strategies to inform and inspire your work.
Themes
History and 1980s
Pressman, N. (1988). Cities Designed for Winter. Building Book Ltd.
Pressman, N. (1989). Harsh living conditions: A research agenda. Habitat International, 13(2), 13–22. https://doi.org/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0197397589900611?via%3Dihub
Pressman, N. (1995a). Northern Cityscape. Winter Cities Association.
Pressman, N. (1995b). Northern Cityscape: Linking Design to Climate. Aljon Print-Craft Limited.
Pressman, N. (1999). Living In Harmony With Winter: A Sustainable Development Approach.
Pressman, N. (2004). Shaping Cities for Winter. Winter Cities Association.
Pressman, N. (2005). The Idea of Winterness: Embracing Ice and Snow. In M. Zardini (Ed.), Sense of the City (pp. 129–141). Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Equity and Accessibility
Chapman, D., Nilsson, K., Larsson, A., & Rizzo, A. (2017). Climatic barriers to soft-mobility in winter: Luleå, Sweden as case study. Sustainable Cities and Society, 35, 574–580.
Sweden warms to “gender equal” snow ploughing. (2013, December 11). The Local.
Tunney, C., & Lunn, S. (2018, January 22). How Bill Morneau may use Sweden’s gender-balanced snow-clearing to adjust Canadian budgets [News]. CBC Politics.
Sensory
Zardini, M. (Ed.). (2005). Sense of the City. Canadian Centre for Architecture and Lars Müller.
Narrative Generation and Languaging
Socio-Ecological Connections
Municipal Policy for Winter Cities
The following municipalities have developed plans, policies, guidelines, and/or strategies to address the unique challenges of winter living and enhance urban resilience.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
WinterCity Strategy aims to transform how the city operates during winter, focusing on winter recreation, business opportunities, winter festivals, and public engagement.
Winter Design Guidelines, which require consideration of winter conditions in city-led developments. The subsequent Policy (2016) emphasizes winter-friendly urban design to ensure that public spaces and city infrastructure are designed with winter in mind.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
The WinterCityYXE Strategy aims to enhance Saskatoon’s livability and vibrancy by designing and adapting the city to embrace and celebrate winter, focusing on making public spaces, infrastructure, and activities more accessible and enjoyable during the coldest months of the year.
The Implementation Plan outlines actionable steps to transform Saskatoon into a more winter-friendly city by improving outdoor spaces, increasing winter recreation opportunities, and fostering a vibrant winter culture through community engagement and thoughtful urban design.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Calgary’s Winter City Strategy: Focuses on winter recreation, pedestrian mobility, and ensuring that streets and pathways are safe and accessible during the winter months. The city also promotes outdoor activities like winter festivals and ice skating.
Beaumont, Alberta, Canada
The Beaumont Winter City Strategy promotes a comfortable and enjoyable experience on the street level, minimizing wind and maximizing sunlight, while adding visual interest and landmarks.
Winter Cities Institute
Shaping Resilient Cities for a Changing World