Residents of the relocated Arctic town of Kiruna are experiencing a colder urban environment, a direct consequence of modern urban planning decisions that failed to prioritize the region’s harsh climate. The Swedish town, which was moved to make way for the expansion of an underground iron mine, now features a city center that is demonstrably colder and windier than its original location, according to new research. This has led to public complaints about what some locals call a “cold hole.”
A study from the University of Gothenburg confirms the residents’ perceptions, revealing that the new city’s design contributes to a worse outdoor environment. Researchers found that while the relocation was an opportunity to modernize, planners opted for features like a large central square, dense streets, and tall buildings situated in a valley. These choices stand in stark contrast to the climate-adapted design of the original town and have resulted in shadier, wind-exposed public spaces, a significant drawback in a community that profiles itself as a premier winter destination.
Original Climate-Smart Design
The original town plan for Kiruna, drafted in 1900 by city planner Per Olof Hallman, was a model of climate-responsive architecture. Hallman strategically placed the town on a south-facing slope to maximize exposure to sunlight, a critical consideration in the Arctic where the sun is low in the sky. The streets were not laid out in a grid but followed the natural contours of the terrain in gentle curves. This ingenious design helped to break up wind flow and prevent the creation of wind tunnels, making outdoor spaces more comfortable for residents.
Instead of a single, large open square that could become a windy, snow-drifted expanse, Hallman opted for smaller green spaces located at street intersections. This approach, along with other historical projects like Ralph Erskine’s climate-responsive designs from the 1960s, demonstrated a deep understanding of how to build livable urban environments in a sub-Arctic climate. These principles focused on creating shelter from the wind and providing comfortable outdoor areas for the public.
New Kiruna’s Planning Deficiencies
The new city center’s design prioritized a modern, dense urban feel over the proven principles of Arctic construction. Planners disregarded historical knowledge about the local microclimate in favor of a more generic urban layout. According to Jennie Sjöholm, a built heritage specialist at the University of Gothenburg who has studied the relocation, decision-makers did not optimize the new design for the urban climate.
Location in a Cold Valley
A fundamental issue is the new location itself. While the original town sat on a sunny southern slope, the new center was built in a depression. This geography is a natural disadvantage, as cold air is denser and tends to collect in low-lying areas, especially during the long winters. Although the location was chosen for its proximity to existing infrastructure like roads and water pipes, its topography was known to be less optimal than the original site. The best location was, in effect, already occupied by the old town, forcing planners to choose a less favorable alternative.
Layout Invites Wind and Shade
The new urban layout exacerbates the problems of its location. The city now features taller buildings and narrower streets, a combination that makes it difficult for the low-lying sun to penetrate and warm the ground level. This creates shadier conditions compared to the old town. Furthermore, the inclusion of a large, open square, flanked by the city hall and a hotel, has created a space that is susceptible to biting winds and snow drifts. While such squares are common gathering places in many cities, their design is poorly suited to Kiruna’s climate without significant modification.
The Great Relocation
The entire town of Kiruna is being moved in a multi-decade project driven by the state-owned mining company, LKAB. The extensive underground mining of iron ore was causing significant ground subsidence and cracks, threatening the structural integrity of the city center. This led to the monumental decision to relocate thousands of housing units and commercial properties 3 kilometers to the east. The transformation is one of the largest urban relocation projects in modern history, with a goal to build a more cohesive and modern city. Some historically significant buildings are being physically moved to the new site, while most structures are being demolished and rebuilt.
Research Confirms Residents’ Experience
The study by the University of Gothenburg provides scientific backing for the anecdotal complaints from residents. Jennie Sjöholm compared the planning documents for the new Kiruna with historical building records to identify the major differences in design philosophy. Her research confirmed that the new layout is more exposed to wind and offers less solar access. The findings align with reports from local media outlet SVT Norrbotten, which noted that the temperature difference in winter can be as much as ten degrees colder in the new center.
Sjöholm notes that the city council’s desire to increase Kiruna’s attractiveness by creating a denser city center with a large square directly contributed to the problem. The principles of building in a location with extended sunshine and protection from cold winds were superseded by other considerations during the design phase.
An Uncertain Future Climate
For a city that relies on its winter identity to attract tourists and new residents, the failure to create a comfortable outdoor environment is a significant misstep. The colder microclimate could detract from the goal of creating a high-quality urban environment that can retain its population and support local industry. While the project is ongoing, residents are already feeling the effects of the planning choices.
There may be opportunities to mitigate some of the issues as the city is completed. Sjöholm suggests that the strategic planting of trees and other vegetation could help create more protected spaces and block some of the wind. However, she acknowledges that fully solving the problem may be difficult. The situation serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting that in the rush to modernize, Kiruna’s planners forgot the hard-won lessons of how to live comfortably in the Arctic.