A working winter wonderland: Canadian ‘Freezeway’ conjures active commuting solution
By Katie Buckley 24 Feb 2015
An artist's rendering of how the Freezeway could look Credit: The Edmonton Freezeway
Matt Gibbs, a landscape architecture student, has come up with a proposal for a frosty new transport network. An 11km (6.8m) long ‘Freezeway’ that will offer people a chance to ice skate to work.
Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, maintains an average sub-zero temperature throughout the winter. Instead of seeing these conditions as a challenge, Gibbs wants to harness this environment and create a dual function commuter network that acts as an ice-skating path in winter months, and a green cycle path in the summer.
Gibbs’ aim is to promote winter exercise in the city. Due to Edmonton being below freezing for usually five months of the year, active lifestyles are sometimes neglected. With the creation of the ‘Freezeway’, individuals would be offered a chance to get outside and active in the winter.
Sustainable transport is another key feature of Gibbs’ proposal, with the option of skating or cycling to destinations being made more accessible by the ‘Freezeway’.
Doubling as an attraction, the path would connect two existing greenways in the city. It would be split into nine districts, each with a different function, such as entertainment offerings or culture and hopefully become a hub of ‘social activity’.
Gibbs estimates that the artificial skating trail would be about a two-hour walk, a 45-minute bike ride, or an 90-minute skate.
Currently in its early stages, there are no specific figures for how much the project would cost. However, if the model is successful, it might offer an alternative winter transport solution that could be rolled out globally.
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A working winter wonderland: Canadian ‘Freezeway’ conjures active commuting solution
POSTED 24 Feb 2015 . BY Katie Buckley
An artist's rendering of how the Freezeway could look Credit: The Edmonton Freezeway
Matt Gibbs, a landscape architecture student, has come up with a proposal for a frosty new transport network. An 11km (6.8m) long ‘Freezeway’ that will offer people a chance to ice skate to work.
Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, maintains an average sub-zero temperature throughout the winter. Instead of seeing these conditions as a challenge, Gibbs wants to harness this environment and create a dual function commuter network that acts as an ice-skating path in winter months, and a green cycle path in the summer.
Gibbs’ aim is to promote winter exercise in the city. Due to Edmonton being below freezing for usually five months of the year, active lifestyles are sometimes neglected. With the creation of the ‘Freezeway’, individuals would be offered a chance to get outside and active in the winter.
Sustainable transport is another key feature of Gibbs’ proposal, with the option of skating or cycling to destinations being made more accessible by the ‘Freezeway’.
Doubling as an attraction, the path would connect two existing greenways in the city. It would be split into nine districts, each with a different function, such as entertainment offerings or culture and hopefully become a hub of ‘social activity’.
Gibbs estimates that the artificial skating trail would be about a two-hour walk, a 45-minute bike ride, or an 90-minute skate.
Currently in its early stages, there are no specific figures for how much the project would cost. However, if the model is successful, it might offer an alternative winter transport solution that could be rolled out globally.
Far from being a barrier to activity, the workplace can be an excellent place to
promote active lifestyles, according to impressive statistics from My Team 2015 –
a national eight week, workplace-based activity challenge.
Paul Hawco, a seasoned figure in the international wellness industry, has assumed the role of
executive director – integrated wellbeing at independent, hospitality group Banyan Group.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in the southeastern US state of Georgia is celebrating a
new milestone after unveiling its newly renovated 27,000sq ft destination spa.
Art’otel, Radisson’s contemporary art-inspired lifestyle hotel brand, has strengthened its
presence in London with a new hotel in Hoxton fusing art, design and hospitality.
Luxury hotel brand Aman, widely known for its strong spa focus, has just launched its much-
talked-about sister brand Janu in Tokyo – complete with a 4,000sq m urban wellness retreat.
Equinox, has teamed up with health platform, Function Health, to offer 100 comprehensive
laboratory tests, giving members vital insights into their internal health.