Comfort in the cold; mitigating evolving winter barriers to outdoor use in the arctic town of Piteå

Abstract

This thesis explores how urban design and planning can improve conditions for outdoor stay and soft mobility during winter in the changing Arctic climate of Piteå, Sweden, where residents face both climatic and mental barriers to outdoor activity. To address this challenge, the study adopts a mixed-method approach, combining inductive qualitative methods, such as a literature review and case study, with quantitative analysis through computational simulations. A master plan proposal for Piteå’s Sörfjärden area serves as the basis for a microclimatic study. The research draws on winter planning literature, municipal documents, and the work of contemporary architects and planners. The findings led to the development of a framework of design principles and a hierarchical design strategy, both of which were applied in the microclimatic analysis and in the improvement of the study area. In conclusion, this combined method suggests the potential of integrating design intuition, principles, and strategies with data-driven tools to assess and improve outdoor environments and offers insights for designing more resilient and liveable urban spaces in the arctic.