SnowHowYear-round active mobility – resources and network

Resources

3 resources

  • ResearchMethod

    A Seasonal Study of the Spatial Quality of Cold Streets Based on Activity Portrait Indexes (APIs)

    Yang Ye, Yi Huang, Sitong Yang, Wenshu Lou, Tong Li, Xin Tang, Hangjian Yu · 2026 · China

    This study develops an Activity Portrait Index (API) framework to assess the seasonal quality of urban streets in Harbin, China, a city with extremely cold winters. Based on observations of 37 street segments, the method evaluates pedestrian activity levels, diversity of activities and the demographic diversity of street users across different seasons. The findings highlight how the qualities that support street activity change throughout the year: wind protection, thermal comfort and connections between indoor and outdoor spaces become particularly important in winter, while greenery, ventilation and opportunities for outdoor staying gain importance during warmer periods. The study provides an evidence-based approach for evaluating and designing streets that remain attractive, accessible and socially active throughout the year.

    • Planning & Design
    • Data & Monitoring
    • Health, Safety & Wellbeing
  • ResearchCase study

    Residents’ Seasonal Behavior Patterns and Spatial Preferences in Public Open Spaces of Severely Cold Regions: Evidence from Harbin, China

    Shuai Liang, Hong Leng · 2025 · China

    This study develops a computer vision-based method for analysing how residents use public open spaces across all four seasons in Harbin, China. Using longitudinal video observations of a residential square, the researchers extracted pedestrian trajectories, identified five distinct behavioural patterns and examined their relationships with spatial characteristics through geographically weighted regression. The automated classification achieved an overall accuracy of 87.5%. The findings show that activity patterns and spatial preferences vary seasonally, with features such as greenery, shading, facilities and sky visibility influencing how people use outdoor spaces. The methodology offers urban planners a data-driven approach to evaluating and improving public spaces for year-round activity in cold-climate cities

    • Planning & Design
    • Data & Monitoring
    • Behaviour & Mobility Management
    • Health, Safety & Wellbeing
  • Research

    Thermal comfort range and influence factor of urban pedestrian streets in severe cold regions

    Hong Jin, Siqi Liu, Jian Kang · 2019 · China

    This empirical study investigates outdoor thermal comfort on two pedestrian streets in Harbin, China, using on-site microclimate measurements and pedestrian surveys across different seasons. The researchers establish a locally adapted Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) assessment and identify an acceptable thermal range of −3.8°C to +23.0°C for more than 80% of respondents. The findings demonstrate that thermal adaptation, length of residence, activity type and demographic characteristics influence perceived comfort, with long-term residents showing greater tolerance of cold conditions. The study provides valuable evidence for assessing pedestrian thermal comfort and developing climate-responsive street environments that support walking throughout the year.

    • Planning & Design
    • Data & Monitoring
    • Health, Safety & Wellbeing