Softening Winter Cities : Climate-Sensitive Design for Life Between Buildings

Sammanfattning

This project explores how urban design can support walking and social interaction in winter cities by integrating microclimate and human-scale design principles. The study is based on a literature framework covering key theories on urban life, walking and microclimate, alongside a site analysis of an area in Sundsvall. The site analysis consists of on-site observations of urban structure, ground-floor functions, building characteristics and behavioural patterns, combined with data from online tools to analyse microclimatic conditions. The findings identify three main challenges within the study area: lack of attractive stay environments, cardominated urban spaces, and exposure to harsh wind conditions. A design proposal was developed based on these findings that integrates microclimatic strategies and human-scale design to improve thermal comfort and support walkability and social interaction. The results indicate that climate-sensitive design is not only an option but is fundamental in improving the usability of public spaces in winter cities. By combining microclimatic adaptation and human-scale design, urban environments can extend the usability of public spaces beyond the coldest months, contributing to a more active outdoor environment throughout the year.