A Study of the Relationship between Human Behavior and Urban Design during the Winter in a High-Snowfall Urban Area

Summary

This field-based study investigates how winter conditions influence pedestrian movement and staying behaviour in an urban public square in Sapporo, Japan. Observations at AKAPLA Plaza reveal that pedestrian volumes decline as temperatures fall, while the proportion of people engaging in stationary activities does not necessarily decrease. The researchers identify three complementary winter design principles: PATH, providing accessible routes with reduced snow cover; STORAGE, retaining selected snow-covered areas for activities such as photography and snow play; and APPROACH, creating access to snow-covered areas to encourage people to spend time outdoors. The findings demonstrate how snow management and spatial design can jointly support the use of public spaces during winter, offering practical concepts for climate-responsive public space planning in cold and snowy cities.

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