Winter City Designs

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Edmonton’s winter design guidelines going to council Tuesday call for toboggan hills and skating rinks next to shops and cafes when possible, instead of tucked away in district parks and the river valley. That would “provide opportunities for warm-up breaks, and to contribute to the local economy.”

Public spaces should be planned with outdoor and indoor areas, and a mix of uses so people don’t always have to drive.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/five-design-ideas-to-cure-edmontons-winter-blues

 

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Edmonton to fight icy winter blasts with urban design
City council will be asked to endorse a set of winter design recommendations Tuesday that could fundamentally shift what it’s like to walk outside in Edmonton.

While the winter strategy so far has been about celebrating frost and outdoor beauty, this is about actually being warmer.

It calls for balconies, trees and podiums to slow and redirect the wind before anyone is allowed to build a high tower, push-button heaters at well-used transit stops, raised crosswalks in pedestrian areas to keep boots and wheelchairs out of the snow, dense rows of spruce trees to slow the wind in parks and walking trails, and south-facing seating areas tucked out of the wind to capture sun.

That’s in addition to beauty — the guide calls for creative lighting on buildings and softly. lit trails without the glare that destroys any sense of mystery.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...ht-winter-icy-blasts-with-better-urban-design

 

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Editorial: Making Edmonton warmer by design a cool idea
Edmontonians are slowly warming up to winter.

Thanks to an aggressive strategy launched several years ago by civic, community and tourism leaders, the coldest and darkest season is considered increasingly chic these days.

Mass snowball fights prearranged on social media break out among strangers. Bridges and buildings are festively lit to ward off gloom and growing numbers of winter festivals such as Ice Castles @ Hawrelak Park and Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival lure residents out of warm homes to embrace the beauty and fun of winter.

http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-making-edmonton-warmer-by-design-a-cool-idea

 

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As Edmonton hits the deep freeze again, sheet-metal worker Alex Emblem said he’s gotten used to building in the cold.

“The conditions are harsh and it is cold, but working on huge projects like the arena is pretty cool, seeing everything coming together,” Emblem said.

Edmonton is knee deep in a historic construction boom downtown and as a result the industry and city are better learning to adapt to a tough climate to limit building delays, experts say.

“Even though we don’t have the ideal climate for masonry, a lot of construction sites will have tarps, heating and hoarding tarps to allow for masonry work,” said Jack Ashton, a program manager for thedowntown arena project.

“The good thing about winter construction is you don’t have to deal with moisture. The snow, you just brush it off. So there are some advantages.”

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/02/27/edmonton-learning-cold-construction-chops.html