Our History
The study of winter cities dates back to the pioneering work of Canadian geographer Louis-Edmond Hamelin in the 1970s, who conceptualized “nordicity” to explore the influence of northern climates on Canadian geography. In the 1980s, urban planning and design for winter cities began to take center stage, led by figures such as Norman Pressman and Ralph Erskine. Pressman’s research, which contributed to the founding of the Liveable Winter Cities Association in 1982, and Erskine’s architectural vision for northern cities, underscored the need for climate-sensitive policies and designs that could make northern communities more livable and sustainable. Pressman’s work eventually led to the establishment of the Winter Cities Institute (WCI) in 2008, which has since become a central hub for winter city research, policy development, and advocacy on a global scale.
Edmonton, home to the University of Alberta, has emerged as a leader in embracing the winter city perspective in municipal governance. Over the past two decades, the City of Edmonton has implemented several initiatives to ensure that winter is not merely endured but celebrated as an integral part of urban life. In 2011, Edmonton adopted the WinterCity Strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing winter living by promoting winter recreation, supporting winter festivals, encouraging outdoor business activities, and improving public education on winter city living. This initiative included the development of winter patios, IceWay skating trails, and other projects that foster community engagement during the colder months.
The Winter Cities Institute was established in 2008 by urban planner Patrick Coleman following the disincorporation of the Winter Cities Association. Mr. Coleman ran the institute mostly independently and became the guardian of many early winter city movement records. Throughout his stewardship, The Institute has gained an international reputation for superior winter city knowledge. Mr. Coleman wished to pass on the Institute to another organization so that the work and knowledge would not be lost. In December 2023, the Winter Cities Institute became part of the University of Alberta’s School of Urban and Regional Planning.
In 2016, Edmonton took a further step by adopting Winter Design Guidelines, which made it a requirement to consider winter conditions in all city-led developments. These guidelines have been internationally recognized and have become a model for other municipalities seeking to enhance winter city livability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Edmonton’s WinterCity Strategy and its associated policies played a pivotal role in helping cities across Canada adapt to a new, more outdoor-centric way of life, demonstrating the value of winter-focused urban planning.
What is a Winter City?
One of the earliest definitions of a “Winter City” came from the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada in 1986, which defines a winter city as a place where the average temperature was 0 degrees celsius, or colder in January, and located above 45° latitude.
Now, as the WinterCity Strategy nears the end of its initial ten-year budget provision, the City of Edmonton is preparing for the next phase of its development, which will involve deepening collaboration with planners, architects, and designers to ensure winter is considered in all facets of urban development. This forward-thinking approach is further amplified by the decision to move the Winter Cities Institute to the University of Alberta, a natural fit given the city’s leadership in winter city innovation.
With its position as a leading research institution and a thriving urban laboratory, the University of Alberta is poised to become a global center for winter city research and development. The Winter Cities Institute’s relocation to the university will enable researchers, architects, and urban planners to collaborate closely with the City of Edmonton, turning the city into a “living lab” for winter innovation. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to drive forward practical solutions to the challenges of urban living in cold climates, making Edmonton—and the University of Alberta—a hub for transformative, climate-resilient urban development.
The Winter City Institute is hosted by the Winter City Hub in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB, Canada.