Planning in Cold Climates: A Critical Overview of Canadian Settlement Patterns and Policies

Hugh Follett was a social worker living in Stoney Creek, Ontario.

This work addresses the influential if seldom-studied aspect of climate and its effects in urban planning. Its purpose “is to attempt to outline the spectrum of winter-related problems, to set the context within which to formulate realistic goals for cold climate regions and to develop strategic approaches which, if implemented, will ultimately minimize the harsh effects of the winter season on man and his whole environment.” The authors feel that a balance must be struck between overprotecting man from nature and offering maximum protection to people who must live and work in adverse climatic conditions for large parts of the year. Efforts have been made at the micro planning level, such as covered streets and underground shopping malls. The authors present the case for planning at the macro level, and hope through this work to stimulate dialogue, debate and pilot projects at all levels of government in order to avoid the population drift from the harsher northern climate to the southern parts of Canada. This is original and thought-provoking work.