Livable Lesson: Winter Placemaking

Jayne Armstrong and Amanda O'Rourke outside in the cold in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Placemaking pros Jayne Armstrong and Amanda O'Rourke of 8 80 Cities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

PHOTO COURTESY 8 80 CITIES

Winter sports enthusists aren't the only people who can enjoy being outdoors during the coldest and darkest months of the year. People of all ages and abilities can spend time out and about in winter when a community's streets, parks and public spaces accommodate healthy activities year-round.

8 80 Cities (which is based in Canada) understands cold weather. Its free Winter Placemaking Guide guide provides solutions for how cold-weather communities can make their outdoor public spaces welcoming and useful, regardless of how low the mercury falls.

Cover type and image of the Winter Placemaking Guide by 8 80 Cities

The Winter Placemaking Video Series takes us through the Winter Placemaking Guide, a publication from the placemaking firm 8 80 Cities that explains how communities can embrace winter through an asset-based community development approach that creatively activates and programs public spaces for people of all ages and abilities.

The guide videos show how to implement inclusive winter placemaking along four key themes:

Winter Mobility
Winter Fun and Programming
Winter Warmth
Winter Health and Resources

Watch the subject-specific videos below, along with an introduction and how-to video, or scroll down to see all six segments compiled into one.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Winter Placemaking

Learn about winter placemaking as a means of re-envisioning how public spaces are created and used to foster social connections, physical activity and a vibrant public realm.