Model for an integrated design approach to settlement planning in the Arctic

• Main Author: Zrudlo, Leo R.
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1982
• Subjects: Geography; Arctic; inuit
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1842/7111

This thesis proposes a design approach to settlement planning in the Arctic which integrates technical specialists and the Inuit into the planning process. This document concentrates on the climatic and cultural aspects of settlement planning within a proposed four-level planning model. The study briefly describes the physiographic and climatic characteristics of the Arctic context as well as providing a rapid history of the Inuit culture. Examples of traditional and contemporary-Inuit housing types and traditional Inuit settlements are prosented. Several contemporary Arctic settlements are analysed taking into consideration the climatic data generated for latitude 65°N as well as certain cultural traits that emerged from the Inuit cultural history and the description of traditional Inuit housing and settlements. A comparison is made with several design methods as a means of describing the theoretical basis of the proposed four-level planning model. A detailed description is then elaborated setting out design requirements at each level with the emphasis placed on the climatic and cultural factors. The planning process at each level is then presented with the corresponding synthesis procedure between levels and for the final synthesis. It is proposed that the decomposition of the planning process into four separate levels would result in a greater clarification of the requirements by the production of a settlement plan for each level and by the synthesis process. By generating plans for each level, alternatives are increased, stimulating the production of planning solutions that normally would not be investigated, as well as making explicit the priorities of the various specialists involved. The design approach integrates the user as an active partner in the design or planning process. A hypothetical case study is elaborated to test the viability of the planning model as well as the validity of the requirements at the four levels. The original plan which was proposed for the site is evaluated using the four-level ...