AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.04.2002, Page 82

WINTER CITIES OF THE NORTH
We have built a capital city "at the limits of the habit-
able worid" where the winds whistle more than in
human settiements elsewhere. For many centuries
Reykjavík was built on wind swept hills and in peat
bogs but today large part of the city is disappearing as
planted trees and wooded areas are encompassing the
built area - "The Green Scarf". Reykjavík is now called
the "Green Winter City" by respected representatives of
Winter Cities.
Who are Winter Cities
During the last few decades cities in the North from
Japan to Siberia formed an organisation called "Winter
Cities Association". On behalf of this association, con-
ferences are held in the "Winter Cities Forum",
research is carried out and lively publication is pro-
duced. Around 600 million people live in the area of the
"Winter Cities" which is defined according to tempera-
ture, rainfall/snowfall, darkness and seasonal change.
Some people equate winter with snow and cold and
their consequent difficuities, but others associate winter
with darkness and short days. Reykjavík is not a Winter
City in the sense of frost and snow, but more when it
comes to light and darkness, wind and seasonal
change.
■ It is wind, low sun altitude and nature of the country
that we have to pay attention to when we create our
environment, especially in built areas - the man-made
environment.
■ It is important that our dwellings enjoy sunlight during
the comparatively few hours the sun shines and that we
can find shelter from the cold northern wind.
■ Shelter is also important for the durability of our
houses and power usage.
■ The buildings themselves have to give shelter, and
vegetation should shelter urban areas as a whole as
well as areas that we would like to use for outdoor
recreation
■ "The Green Scarf".
All these points should be kept in mind during the
planning of development, design of buildings and the
choice of materials. In order that northern urban areas
can fulfill modern day demands of urban environment,
the attitudes toward planning and building design have
to be well-founded during the decision making process.
We have to use the seasons, work with them and see
the positive contribution each of them can make. Those
who have stayed where there is little seasonal change
appreciate this magnificent breathing of Nature which
we are a part of. Let's work with her. ■
Þorvaldur S. Þorvaldsson, City Architect
HJel varið hús
með klæðningu úr Borgarnesstáli/-áli
Borgamesstálið/-álið skipar nú traustan sess sem klæðningarefni
á þök og veggi utan- og innanhúss og prýðir fjölda bygginga
um land allt.
Borgarnesstálið/-álið er fáanlegt í mörgum gerðum:
litað stál
- Galv. stál
- Aluzink stál
- Gatað stál
- Plastisol stál
-Al
-Litaðál
0,4 - 0,6 xrnn
0,6 mm
0,6 - 0,8 mm
0,5 mm
0,6 mm
0,7 - 0,9 mm
0,7 mm
Vírnet Garðastál hf. hefur gefið út aðgengilegt rit,
Veðurkápuna, þar sem fjallað er um stálklæðningar og
val á þeim, uppsetningu og viðhald.
BORGARNES
BÁRUSTÁL OG KANTSTÁL
Borgarnesi
sími 437 1000
Caröabœ
sími 565 2000
www.virnet.is
www.virnet.is
©

GARÐASTAL
J