But winter is coming or, in many places, has already arrived.
The problem is much deeper than that.
The good news is that winter can be an asset to communities if leveraged properly.
Their suggestions:
Sidewalks are public spaces that improve mobility, accessibility and quality of life.
Yet public works departments prioritize the clearing of snow and ice from roads while generally neglecting sidewalks.
In fact, many cities dont bother to clear sidewalks at all.
Why devalue these important assets by leaving them inaccessible for three or four months of the year?
Keeping sidewalks walkable and streets or paths bikeable during the COVID-19 pandemic can relieve crowding on public transit systems.
People experiencing homelessness or who are housing insecure need a way to get out of the cold.
The pandemic has placed already overwhelmed shelter and support systems under even more duress.
For many people, one of the hardest parts of winter is the lack of sunlight.
The decrease in daylight hours contributes to a higher rate of traffic collisions during winter months.
To combat the hazards, many cities increase the wattage of lighting along streets, sidewalks and public spaces.
Some use lighting in fun ways by hosting festivals, competitions and art installations that brighten the night.
Being cold isnt fun.
Warmth is an essential ingredient for creating the winter-friendly public places so many communities need.
Other cities close streets for tobogganing orOpen Streetsprograms.
Wintertime also creates opportunities for snow building and ice sculpture competitions.
Properly maintained walking paths can boost physical activity levels for park users during the winter.
Places that invite people to spend time outside need to provide comfortable and clean restrooms.
Page published December 2020 | A similar version of this article appears on880 Cities.org.
