Urban design for winter | Adapting urban form to the climate

Why is this important?                              

Winter is often considered a dead season. Less lively due to the temperature and the short period of sunshine, it requires special attention. It’s generally a less busy season for retailers. People spend more time at home, often considering the outdoors uncomfortable, slippery and dark. From a social point of view, this leads many people into a state of isolation. Yet our cities should be adapted to our climate. Urban design can encourage these people to get out and about, by providing entertainment in public spaces, particularly in commercial areas. Three aspects should be given priority: light, bioclimatic comfort and space planning.

A major issue during the winter months is the limited number of hours of sunlight. The absence of light, particularly at the end of the day, considerably reduces the opportunities for appropriating public space. This absence can also create a feeling of insecurity among some people, who will then limit their outdoor activities. It is therefore essential to take this dimension into account when designing any public space, whether it’s a street, a park or a square.

Winter weather is often reason enough to stay indoors. However, it can vary significantly depending on the surrounding built environment. Shade and wind amplify the cold. Conversely, an urban environment designed to benefit from maximum sunlight and wind protection will be pleasant even during the winter months. Microclimates can be deliberately created to maximize comfort. For example, many European ski resorts already offer public areas and terraces facing south and south-west, allowing you to eat outside and lie in the sun all winter long. So why not bring it to the city?

Last but not least, public space must be designed to accommodate events, whether recurring or occasional, and to enable appropriation in the case of spontaneous activities. It must therefore be flexible and user-friendly.

Anticipate where snow will accumulate

Pavements and sidewalks have rarely been designed with winter in mind. Snow and water accumulate on street corners, making intersections unpleasant to cross. This situation is particularly problematic for the elderly and people with reduced mobility, populations whose needs must be taken into account when considering Quebec’s demographics. The addition of curb projections or the creation of raised intersections or crossings at sidewalk level as a preventive measure reduces the surface area to be cleared of snow and moves areas of water accumulation away from pedestrian crossings. Snow accumulation on roofs must also be taken into account when designing building projects. Falling snow or ice on sidewalks and building accesses must be avoided. Finally, young trees are fragile and should not be planted where snow is expected to pile up.

Five winter comfort features

The City of Edmonton recently adopted Winter Design Guidelines (Winter Design Guidelines) taking into account the following elements:

• sunshine: the sun provides welcome warmth, especially when it’s only present for a few hours a day;
• wind protection: the orientation of blocks, the layout and shape of buildings and the presence of vegetation reduce wind;
• Covered shelter: awnings, canopies, canopies and alcoves create comfortable microclimates;
• color and light: color and light can brighten up the darkest months and increase safety;
• fire: a simple fireplace can warm up the space both physically and psychologically. Heat lamps may be appropriate in some cases.

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Image: Ville de Québec