In wintertime the city of Tromsø receives extreme amounts of snow and experiences recurrent challenges with regards to snow management. Very often a random deposition is the chosen solution. The random areas are often the playgrounds and park areas; sites that are important to reposess in early spring. The random deposition of snow often leads to blocked natural waterways and a breakdown of planned waterflow. The result is flooded areas that then freezes and becomes icy with reduced accessibility especially for pedestrians and cyclists. The depositioned snow represents an ecological hazard as the snow contains pollutants from motorized vehicles. The melting snow will follow roads or tubes, and reaches the sea unfiltered and polluted.

How can we make safe snow deposits that do not reduce access to our green structures and walkways ? How to enhance winter circulation for pedestrians, bikers, skiers and people with physical disabilities ? What are the necessary requirements for walkways specifications; climatical, surfaces, construction and dimensions to meet the demands of a changing climate ? How can ice, snow and storm water be turned into qualities for a winter city instead of posing a problem ? How to develop strategies for implementing our findings in practical policy making ?

The autumn 2014 studio is a research pilot that will explore, map, analyze, discuss and represent conceptual design solutions to these questions. The pilot will be organized with Tromsø Municipality as a partner, and the outcomes will be implemented in an ongoing work to develop policies to improve mobility for vulnerable road users.