Finland Times

 

Mayor of Rovaniemi City Esko Lotvonen. FTimes Photo by Shahidul Islam.

Mayor of Rovaniemi City Esko Lotvonen will highlight activities of the city on urban planning and management in arctic conditions in next year’s conference of winter cities.

 

In an exclusive interview to the Finland Times, Lotvonen said he would focus particularly on the issue of arctic design, besides up-gradation of winter urban design, planning and architecture, winter technology, business and industries, winter festivals, urban culture, and winter transportation during the conference slated for January 28 to 30 next year in Edmonton, Canada.

 

“Ice and snow are not obstacles any more. They have rather turned into assets for us,” said the mayor, adding that the conference would be an opportunity to evaluate Rovaniemi’s branding of Santa Claus, arctic culture and Arctic Circle and to share experiences with other arctic cities. “We will gather information about how the Canadian winter and arctic cities deal with the issues.” 

 

According to Lotvonen, Rovaniemi has already become well known across the globe as an interesting destination for a number of reasons.

 

“We have learned how to work in the Arctic Circle,” the mayor said, adding that Rovaniemi in conjunction with the University of Lapland, Arctic Center and some other organisations has already been working with the European Union Arctic Information Centre on arctic business and in knowledge development and research.

 

The mayor said Rovaniemi has gathered considerable experience in urban design and how to function and roll out facilities and housing in winter using local resources.

 

“Arctic design is quite a new concept. Rovaniemi has organised Arctic Design Week five times in cooperation with the University of Lapland’s Faculty of Art and Design,” said Lotvonen, adding that Rovaniemi is spearheading the concept.

 

The arctic design issue will be placed in the conference along with services and clothing concepts.

 

The mayor also said that Rovaniemi this time will also apply for the membership of the World Winter Cities’ Association of Mayors (WWCAM), which, if approved, will open a new window for regular communications and exchange of ideas and experiences on winter city management.

 

Lotvonen expects to share information about the circumstances of winter cities in Finland, good ideas on city planning, snow maintenance, and crop planning in icy conditions in the conference.

 

“I think it’s important to link up with different kinds of activities of different cities,” the mayor added.

 

“The conference in Canada is a big opportunity for Rovaniemi, because the experience of Canadian Arctic is important for us, as we can learn how they developed in different conditions as well as how to market arctic city features. At the same time, we can share city planning ideas and best practices and views on our culture and traditions,” said the Rovaniemi mayor.

 

Urban planners and designers, entrepreneurs and business people, artists, cultural and community organisers, and people who live in winter cities are expected to participate in the three-day conference.

 

The conference will also discuss ways of preventing walkways, streets, buildings and public spaces from becoming cold, windy and unattractive as soon as winter set is. It offers a platform to learn about the latest and the best in urban design and planning to make winter cities liveable year-round. 

 

The goal of the conference is to promote the Winter Cities Movement, strengthen cooperation and solidarity among winter cities while contributing towards peace and development of the international community, and tackle global warming issues through educational and action campaigns.