Vol. 23 No. 1 (2025): Aperto. Per un ritratto dello spazio aperto / Open. For a portrait of open space
Acqua/ Water

Cryosphere as infrastructure. Observations on open space in the Arctic city of Luleå

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  • Stefano Tornieri
Stefano Tornieri
Jade University of Applied Science, Oldenburg, Germany
Bio
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rv-16769

Published 2025-10-28

Keywords

  • Arctic Urbanism,
  • Iced Sea,
  • Bothnia Gulf,
  • Temporary Architecture

How to Cite

Tornieri, S. (2025). Cryosphere as infrastructure. Observations on open space in the Arctic city of Luleå. Ri-Vista. Research for Landscape Architecture, 23(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.36253/rv-16769

Copyright (c) 2025 Stefano Tornieri

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

This paper explores the role of the cryosphere as a dynamic element in Arctic urban design, with a focus on its implications for public space planning in winter cities. The cryosphere, encompassing snow, sea ice, permafrost, plays a dual role in Arctic urbanism: as a temporary, accessible open space enabling unique modes of public engagement and as a fragile ecosystem under threat from climate change. Using Luleå, Sweden, as a case study, the research highlights how Arctic cities creatively utilize frozen spaces such as sea ice for recreation, transportation, and social activities. Key features like Luleå’s ice road exemplify the integration of seasonal infrastructure into urban life, offering a model for leveraging the cryosphere as “white infrastructure.” The paper further examines the challenges posed by climate change, including the shortening ice season, which threatens both the ecological stability of sea ice and its cultural and functional roles.

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