From 2010 to 2020, Luleå University of Technology's Architecture Group focused on research into Swedish winter cities. Luleå City was an original member of the Winter Cities Association. Under the direction of Kristina L Nilsson, architect SAR/ MSA, Professor emerita of Architecture, Member of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Board member of the National Renovation Center and Swedish representative in the Nordic Planning Research Network PLANNORD, this led to a number of key projects and PhD theses.
