Winter City Design Guidelines St.John Winter Cities... · Winter City Guidelines1...

WINTER CITY DESIGN

GUIDELINES

February 2000

W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s i9 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c© U r b a n S y s t e m s L t d . , 1 9 9 9 1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of Contents

1 In troduct ion : W inter and the L iveab le C i ty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2 Winter Sa fety and Comfor t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3 Fort St - John ’s C l imate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

4 Liveab le C it ies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5 Key C l imate-Sens it ive Pr inc ip les. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.1 Preserve So lar Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.2 Shelte r f rom the Wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5.3 Design for Snow Storage and Remova l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6 Design Gu ide l ines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

6.1 Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

6.2 Parks and Open Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

6.3 Homes and Commerc ia l Bu i ld ings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

6.4 Park ing Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6.5 Trees and P lantat ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

7 Appropr iate Co lours, Mater ia ls, and L igh t ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

8 Selected Trees and Shrubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

8.1 Evergreen Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

8.2 Evergreen Shrubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

8.3 Deciduous Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

8.4 Deciduous Shrubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

8.5 Deciduous Evergreen Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s 19 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c 1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0

1111 In troduct ion : W inter and theIntroduct ion : W inter and theIntroduct ion : W inter and theIntroduct ion : W inter and theL i v eable C i t yL i v eable C i t yL i v eable C i t yL i v eable C i t y

The people of For t St . John have long embraced the ir w inter envi ronment andce lebrate the opportun it ies that northern l iv ing of fe rs . The cr isp, sunny daysprov ide exce l lent opportun i t ies for soc ia l in teract ion and outdoor act iv i t y .Of ten, incorporat ing Southern or iented p lann ing methods fa i l to cap ita l ize onthese opportun i t ies . Nor thern s ite p lann ing and bu i ld ing techn iques a l low usto cap i ta l ize on these opportun it ies to stay outdoors, create l ive ly streets andre in force the v i ta l i t y of the commun ity .

C l imate-sens it ive des ign can crea te a more pos i t ive w inter exper ience byadopt ing des ign stra teg ies adapted to our nor thern env ironment . Th is bookleta ims to present those strateg ies to c i t izens, p lanners, arch itects, eng ineers,and deve lopers invo lved in the shap ing of our commun ity. I t is a b luepr int fo ra l i veab le w in ter c i t y .

2222 Winter Safe ty and ComfortWinter Safe ty and ComfortWinter Safe ty and ComfortWinter Safe ty and Comfort

The goal of c l imate-sensi t ive des ign is not to crea te year-round summercond it ions but instead to capi ta l ise on un ique nor thern oppor tun it ies by

making the w inter env i ronmentsafe , comfortab le , and en joyab le .

Many factors cont r ibute to w in terd iscomfort , inc lud ing w indexposure, lack of sun l igh t , d r ivenra in or snow, and spray pro jectedby road vehicu les. S l ipperys idewa lks become safety hazardsfor sen ior res idents or those w i thimpa ired mob i l i ty .

Good s i te p lann ing and we l l-des igned bu i ld ings, s treets, andparks reduce those factors andincrease w in ter comfort . We l l -usedopen spaces – such as ma incommerc ia l s t reets or communi typark ing lots – are pr ime cand ida tesfor c l imate-sens it ive design.

E l e m e n t s o f W i n t e r D i s c o m f o r t(Adapted from RAIC/AIA: Liveable Winter

Cities, 1986)

2

3333 Fort S t - John ’ s C l imateFort S t - John ’ s C l imateFort S t - John ’ s C l imateFort S t - John ’ s C l imate

The C ity o f Fort St - John has been recogn ised as one of the sunn iestcommun i t ies in Br i t ish Columb ia. However , Fort St- John rece ives an average ofapprox imate ly 76 hours o f sun l ight per month dur ing the w inter . C l imate-sens it ive des ign max imises so la r exposure, espec ia l ly in open spaces of tenused by peop le .

Throughout most o f the year , For t St - John has a mean temperature be low theNorth Amer ican average. C l imate-sens i t ive des ign reduces the impact o f thewind and extends the per iod of comfort .

Dur ing the w inter season , For t St - John rece ives some measurab le f reez ingprec ip i tat ion one day out of three. C l imate-sens i t ive des ign ensures tha t snowand ra in accumu late where wanted or can be removed qu ick ly and ef f ic ient ly .

S u n a n g l e v a r i a t i o n(above horizon)

F o r t S t - J o h n ' s A v e r a g e S o l a rE x p o s u r e

(Source: Environment Canada)

0

100

200

300

400

Jan

Fe

b

Ma

r

Ap

r

May Ju

n

Jul

Au

g

Se

p

Oct

No

v

De

c

Month

Ho

urs

of

Su

nlig

ht

Dai

ly M

ean

T

emp

erat

ure

F o r t S t - J o h n ' s A v e r a g eT e m p e r a t u r e

(Source: Environment Canada)

W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0

-20

-10

0

10

20

Jan

Fe

b

Mar

Ap

r

May Jun

Jul

Au

g

Se

p

Oct

No

v

De

c

Month

F o r t S t - J o h n ' s A v e r a g e S n o w f a l l(Source: Environment Canada)

40

)

9 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c© U r b a n S y s t e m s L t d . , 1 9 9 9

0

10

20

30

Jan

Fe

b

Ma

r

Ap

r

May Ju

n

Jul

Au

g

Se

p

Oct

No

v

De

c

Month

Sn

ow

fall

(cm


4444 L i v eable C i t i e sL i v eable C i t i e sL i v eable C i t i e sL i v eable C i t i e s

Think of the c i t y as a house: how i t is bu i l t la rge ly determines how sa fe ,comfortab le and en joyable i t is to l i ve in . A l i veab le c i t y is compact , mixesland uses and prov ides connected pedestr ian p laces.

C o m p a c t n e s s

A compact city uses spaceeffic iently, al l ows people to

walk between places, andensures that streets and

publ ic open spaces aresheltered from the wind .

Compactness can be achievedthrough higher density new

developments or inf i l l ofexisting urban areas .

M i x o f L a n d U s e s

Having housing, offices and stores inthe same bui lding or on the same streetmeans less travel to accompl ish dai lyact iv it ies . It also sustains streetvital ity throughout the day . Commercialdowntown streets are often abandonedafter working hours because nobodyl ives near them.

C o n n e c t e d P e d e s t r i a n S p a c e s

Urban open space is d ivided between cars andpeople . When no investment is made on people

spaces – s idewalks , parks, etc . - the c ity becomes aplace to drive through. Protect pedestrian spaces

and design them so they can be used throughout theyear . Connect them in a network so people can walk

around the c ity .

4 W i n t e r C i t y G u i d1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0

5555 Key C l imate - S en s i t i v e Pr inc ip l e sKey C l imate - S en s i t i v e Pr inc ip l e sKey C l imate - S en s i t i v e Pr inc ip l e sKey C l imate - S en s i t i v e Pr inc ip l e s

The fo l low ing c l imate-sens it ive pr inc ip les app ly equa l ly to the des ign o find iv idua l s i tes or ent i re c i t ies. F rom a c l imate perspect ive, they are the mostimportant factors of u rban l iveab i l i t y .

5 . 1 P r e s e r v e S o l a r A c c e s s

Shaded spaces are dead spaces.Pedest r ian spaces shou ld rema insunny throughout December 21s t ,when the sun is at i t s lowest .Locate ta l le r bu i ld ings on the norths ide of streets or step them down toreduce the shaded area .

5 . 2 S h e l t e r f r o m

Winter w indspaces unbiso lated, buspeed at grstep bu i ld inthem w ith he ight .

5 . 3 D e s i g n f o r S

The st rategthroughout t

S h a d e f a c t o r : 6 t i m e s t h eh e i g h t o f t h e b u i l d i n g

e l i n e s9 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c

© U r b a n S y s t e m s L t d . , 1 9 9 9

t h e W i n d

s make even sunnyearab ly co ld. Ta l l ,i ld ings increase w indound leve l . Instead,gs down and group

others of s imi lar

n o w S t o r a g e a n d R e m o v a l

i c locat ion o f w ind barr ie rs and the prov is ion of storage areashe c it y reduce snow remova l costs and increase safety.


S u n n y P o c k e t s

Places sheltered from the wind andexposed to the sun feel muchwarmer and are usable for a longerpart of the year .

W i n d B a r r i e r s

Screens, buffers, andbui ldings can reduce

wind speed by 50% on adistance equal to 4 to10 times their height .

S h a d o w s

Buildings should not shade pedestrianplaces that are used in the wintert ime.

B u i l d i n g H e i g h t

Bui ldings should be ofsimi lar height . Tal l ,isolated bui ldingsincrease wind speed atground level .

L o c a t i o n o fP e d e s t r i a n P l a c e s

Parks and main pathwaysshould be located on the

sunny s ide of streets andbui ldings .

SITE DESIGN

URBAN DESIGN

6 W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0 9 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c


6666 Des ign Gu idel ine sDe s ign Gu idel ine sDe s ign Gu idel ine sDe s ign Gu idel ine s

6 . 1 S t r e e t s

Seasonal feature l ightingis one of the mosteffective ways to create aspecial winter atmosphere .Include electr ical / soundoutlets in streetlampposts .

Street trees reduce wind speed andprovide separation betweenpedestrians and cars . Select salt-resistant species . Protect trunksfrom winter snow removal operationswith temporary tree guards .

Wider curb-side lanesal low for bicycles in thesummer and temporarysnow storage in the winter .

Pedestrian l ighting andfurniture increase comfortand safety . Streetsbecome places for people .

Sl ightly-raised pedestrianstreet crossings s lowtraffic and el iminate

curb-side accumulation ofsnow melt or ice

formation .

Continuous bui ld ingfaçades with awnings,

s ignage, and warmcolours create visual

interest and pedestr ianscale . Add feature

l ighting .


6 . 2 P a r k s a n d O p e n S p a c e s

Evergreen trees toblock winter winds .

Entrances to wel l-used bui ldings facepark, with ra isedcrosswalk foraccess .

Grass mounds can beused for s le igh rid ing .Plant evergreen trees/ removable fence onstreet s ide for safety .

Heated shelter w/toi lets and dressing

room. Houses park’smechanical and

electrical fac i l i t ies(pumps, irr igat ion

controls , etc .) . In largeparks, inc lude room for

zamboni and ice c lear ingequipment .

Amphitheatrebecomes

sheltered f irepitin winter

Lake can be used as skat ing rink .Landscape with temporary

evergreens and l ighting. Add music .Deciduous trees al low sun to reach

areas of the park used in winter .

Sheltered transit stop inproximity to park.

Lawns are used forsnow storage . Snowmounds become play

areas .

Private parkinglots can be

shared withpubl ic for

events .

8 W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s 1 7 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0 A p p e n d i x 5 F S J W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s . d o c © U r b a n S y s t e m s L t d . , 1 9 9 9

6 . 3 H o m e s a n d C o m m e r c i a l B u i l d i n g s

Building height similar to that of adjacent bui ldings to reduce

downdrafts.

Awnings, balconies and other façade projections reduce ground-level winds.

Protected entrance with non-s l ippery surface

draining away from building. Keep slope to a minimum.

Provide l ighting.

South- facing setbacks are opportunit ies for comfortable pocket parks. Provide seating.

Evergreen trees to block winter

winds .

Long side of house and windows facing south.

Deciduous trees al low sun exposure in winter.

Covered entrance and stairs are protected

from snow and winds. Side entryway connects

to driveway and reduces snow removal .

Short driveways with room for pi l ing snow. South exposure melts snow. In residential areas, locate s idewalks on south side of avenues to al low for snow storage on the north, and sidewalk on the east side of streets with storage on the west.

Landscaping leaves room for pi l ing snow. Terrain slopes towards drain.

Site grading should slope away from house to avoid

snowmelt infi ltration int o basement .

Site grading should direct snowmelt away from roads or pedestrian areas to avoid icy conditions.

Use dense materials to absorb / retain heat and l ighter colours on south wal ls to reflect l ight.


6 . 4 P a r k i n g L o t s

P a r k i n g l o td i v i d e r s

Provide room forpedestrian pathways andplanted is lands to serve

as wind barr iers .Dividers should be largeenough to accommodate

snow disposal . Raisethem above parking level

to reduce salt absorptionfrom surface run-off and

spray . Drainage andgrading should direct

water away frompedestrian and parking

areas .

Divide the parking lot intosmal ler ones separated by

planted is lands . This makes iteasier for people to find their

car and reduces wind speeds .

Landmark feature atmain entrance guidesdrivers .

Put street-fac ing bu i ldingsalong street frontage and at

corners . Parking lot mayremain vis ib le but must be

screened by vegetation .

Provide pedestrianpathways between

parking lots andconnect them to main

entrances ofbui ldings .

Adequate snow storage should bedeveloped to accommodate parkingand walkway d imens ions . Site shouldbe designed to faci l itate snowremoval and equipment . Snow storageshould be located in areas thatmaximise sunl ight and melt .

1 0 W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0 9 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c


6 . 5 T r e e s a n d P l a n t a t i o n

The win ter c l imate o f fers harsh l iv ing condi t ions for urban trees. To improvetree hea lth , choose co ld and sa l t-resis tant spec ies . Wherever pract ica l , g rouptrees together instead of p lant ing them in rows.

P l a n t e d I s l a n d s

Grouping trees togetherimproves their res istance to

wind exposure and reducessurface evaporation . Trees

also have more soi l avai l ablefor root development and waterretention . P lan understory w ith

salt-res istant shrubs andperennials . Rais ing the is land

reduces salt intake .

W i n t e r P r o t e c t i o n

Pieces of 2X4 lumber orrecycled rubber mattingstrapped to the trunkprotect trees against snowremoval equ ipment .

P l a n t e r s

Smal l planters areinadequate for mostwintering plants and

should be moved to wind-protected storage in

winter . Large plantersare adequate for hardy

species and can double asstreet furniture .

W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s 1 19 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c 1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0

7777 Appropr iate Colours , Mater ial s ,Appropr iate Colours , Mater ial s ,Appropr iate Colours , Mater ial s ,Appropr iate Colours , Mater ial s ,and L ight ingand L ight ingand L ight ingand L ight ing

Because few p lant spec ies w i l l reta in inte rest ing co lours in w inter , the cho iceof v isua l ly appea l ing mater ia ls and co lours is found throughout Nord ic c i t ies.Some mater ia ls, such as br ick , stone, and wood, have co lours inherent lycompat ib le w i th the na tura l landscape. Many c i t ies a lso promote co lourschemes for bu i ld ings, s igns, and stree t fu rn iture, wh ich serve as a gu ide forpr iva te construct ions, renovat ions, or pub l ic in f rastructures. When us ingco lour , cons ider the fo l low ing:

! Warm co lours are usua l ly more interest ing in w inter env i ronments thancoo ler ones (b lues and greens). Se lect earth tones (ochre, sand , andterracot ta) and paste l hues, and keep br i l l iant co lours (reds, oranges, andye l lows) for accents.

! Spec ia l st ructures, such as br idges, are good opportun ity to use co lours.So are stree t lampposts and fu rn itu re.

! Colours can be temporary , such as banners.

! Evergreens, and certa in p lant spec ies, o f fer in terest ing w inter e f fectthrough bark co lour, texture, or shape.

When se lect ing mater ia ls, cons ider the fo l low ing:

! Wood, p last ics, and certa in composite mater ia ls stay comfortab le for alonger per iod of the year than meta l and concrete.

! Because of the r isk o f sk in burns, meta l may prove a hazard in certa ins ituat ions, such as ch i ldren p laygrounds.

! Salt w i l l corrode meta l and porous concrete , br ick , or stone.

Because of shorter days, l ight ing is an essent ia l component of northern c i t ies .Cons ider the fo l low ing:

! Vehicu lar street cobra-head l igh t ing prov ides safe ty but does not create apleasant pedest r ian atmosphere . On important commerc ia l st reets andparks, add pedestr ian l ight ing and use the lamppost fo r at tach ing bannersand speakers.

! Chr is tmas l igh t ing of commerc ia l areas and skat ing r inks create a fest iveatmosphere .

! Lighted bu i ld ings, in f rast ructure or scu lptures become foca l po ints.

1 2 W i n t e r C i t y G u i d e l i n e s1 5 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 0 9 9 1 1 0 9 j t . d r a f t . d o c


8888 S e l ec t ed Tree s and ShrubsS e l ec t ed Tree s and ShrubsS e l ec t ed Tree s and ShrubsS e l ec t ed Tree s and Shrubs

When se lect ing a t ree or shrub for northern use , cons ider the fo l low ing:

a) Cold hard iness var ies between spec ies of a same p lant . Check w i th loca l nurser ies forspec ies adapted to loca l c l imate . P lan ts grown loca l ly have better chances of surv iv ingtransp lantat ion than imported ones;

b) Plants near roads and park ing lots shou ld be sa lt - res istant (see p lan ts w ith * be low);

c) Before t ransp lant ing trees tha t have been in the nursery for a long t ime, mark thesouthern s ide of the t runk and p lant w ith the same or ienta t ion.

8 . 1 E v e r g r e e n T r e e s

! Abies ba lsamea Balsam F ir

! Picea Sp. Spruces

! Pinus Sp. Pines

8 . 2 E v e r g r e e n S h r u b s

! Jun iperus Sp. Jun ipers ! Pinus mugo Mugo P ine

8 . 3 D e c i d u o u s T r e e s

! Acer g innala* Amur map le

! Betu la papyr i fe ra* Wh ite B irch

! Malus Sp. Crabapp les

! Populus Sp .* Aspens

! Prunus Sp.* Flower ing Cherr ies

! Sal ix a lba* Wh ite Wi l low

! Ti l ia amer. ‘Redmond’ Basswood

8 . 4 D e c i d u o u s S h r u b s

! Amelanch ie r a ln i fo l ia Saskatoonberry

! Caragana arborescens Siber ian Caragana

! Cornus Sp. Dogwoods

! Cotoneaster acut i fo l ius Cotoneaster

! Eleagnus angust i fo l ia* Russ ian O l ive

! Lonicera Sp .* Honeysuck les

! Rosa rugosa* Ramanas Rose

! Sal ix Sp.* Wi l lows

! Sambucus canadens is Golden E lder

! Shefard ia argentea Buf fa lo Berry

! Syr inga Sp .* L i lacs

! Viburnum Sp. V iburnums

8 . 5 D e c i d u o u s E v e r g r e e n T r e e s

! Lar ix la r ic ina* Larch

Winter City Design Guidelines St.John Winter Cities... · Winter City Guidelines1...

Documents

Transcript of Winter City Design Guidelines St.John Winter Cities... · Winter City Guidelines1...