Nature Placemaking in the Winter

Purpose and goal:

Learning from the pandemic, we aimed to make nature and its positive impact on our health more accessible while encouraging social connections. Our project used placemaking to explore how to attract people to spend wintertime outdoors in the nature. We created a meeting place in the nature, that became popular and well-attended, with 200 people visitors at the opening. The insights are condensed into a manual for creating vibrant winter spaces, enabling broader dissemination of our findings.

Expected results and effects:

The result is a meeting place in nature and a manual for winter meeting places. Expected outcomes were increased usage of the area, promotion of social cohesion, and enhanced safety. Evaluation shows that the spot is well utilized and appreciated. Accessibility measures (a path and ramps), along with seating, and a barbecue have made nature accessible to families and the elderly. Nearby preschools actively utilize the site. The increase of activity has contributed to a safer neighbourhood.

Approach and implementation:

We created a winter meeting place using the method placemaking. The design was informed by workshops with target groups and literature reviews. Embracing the impreciseness of nature, we designed conceptual modules that were adapted on-site in collaboration with the contractor. Communication activities were employed to generate interest and community engagement. Wintertime activities attracted visitors and activated the space. The findings were summarized into a manual for vibrant winter places.