Nordic Habitat

This book examines the architecture, urban planning, and development of Arctic cities in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. It examines how environmental and climate concerns have shaped architects’ thinking about cities and everyday living environments in the Nordic Arctic since 1945. The book approaches the design of Arctic cities and settlements through the concept of habitat, which combines concerns for environmental protection and community-building with ideas about architectural and urban form. Specifically, it examines and compares residential and urban design projects in Kiruna (S), Rovaniemi (FI), and Hammerfest (N) by Alvar Aalto, Ralph Erskine, Astrup og Hellern, Anne Brit Børve, and others. By comparing projects and cities and tracing the history of climate-responsive, human-centred architecture and urban design, the book shows the modern regionalisation of architecture in the northern subarctic regions of Europe. It offers insights into climate-responsive urbanism and architecture for marginal, exposed geographies, and supports the development of liveable, vibrant northern cities and communities.