By Laura Dean, CMP, Director, Parks and Public Spaces
Recently, Downtown Detroit Partnership Chief Public Spaces Officer David Cowan and I had the opportunity to join urban practitioners from around the world in Montréal at the Winter Cities Symposium during LUMINO Pro, hosted by Quartier des spectacles international.
I was invited to take part in a panel discussion that brought together city leaders from Toronto, Edmonton, Helsinki, New York City, Niagara Falls and Detroit to explore an important question:
How do cities move from occasional winter programming to a true winter city strategy?
For cities with cold climates, winter is often treated as something to endure rather than something to design for. But conversations in Montréal reinforced a strategy we have been actively testing and refining in Downtown Detroit for nearly a decade: winter success is not built around a single attraction. Instead, it comes from creating a connected network of public spaces that work together to activate the city during the coldest months of the year.
In Detroit, that network is led and coordinated by the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Our public spaces function as a constellation of destinations anchored by Campus Martius Park. Each winter season begins with the annual Detroit Tree Lighting hosted by the Downtown Detroit Partnership and presented by DTE Foundation, which has become a beloved regional tradition and a signal that the season.
From there, the experience expands across Downtown. Visitors can skate at the Rink at Campus Martius presented by Lexus, warm up inside the Cadillac Lodge, explore the Winter Markets created in partnership with Bedrock, gather with friends and family at CHALET 313, a welcoming winter lounge designed and furnished with Gardner White, or take in tons of winter fun in Beacon Park.
What makes these experiences successful is not just the individual attractions, but how they connect. Seasonal lighting, programming in spaces like Nick Gilbert Way and holiday activations at Michigan Central extend the winter environment across multiple parks, streets and destinations. Together, these elements create a cohesive public realm that encourages people to move throughout downtown rather than concentrating activity in a single location.
This winter has once again proven something Detroiters have long understood: cold weather doesn’t slow the city down — it strengthens it. Programs like our Winter in the Parks presented by Bank of America are a big reason why Downtown Detroit has become a true four-season destination. Despite frigid temperatures, overall spending in Downtown Detroit rose about 66% in January compared with the same month in 2025, while food-related spending was up 37% and estimated hotel spending jumped an impressive 83%.
As these spaces continue to grow in popularity, we are exploring ways to expand access and share these lessons beyond Downtown. With support from a Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, we are receiving resources and guidance to evaluate and implement best practices for vibrant public spaces.
Participating in the Winter Cities Symposium was a powerful reminder that cities across the world are exploring creative approaches to many of the same questions: How do we make public spaces vibrant year-round? How do we encourage people to embrace winter rather than retreat from it? And how can thoughtful design turn cold weather into an asset rather than a barrier?
I’m grateful to Molly Bañuelos, the Québec Government Office in Chicago, and the team at Quartier des Spectaculars International for hosting such an inspiring gathering and for creating space for cities to share ideas and learn from one another.
The conversation will continue this summer in Detroit when Project for Public Spaces and the Downtown Detroit Partnership host the 5th International Placemaking Week 2026, convening global placemaking leaders to explore how public spaces can shape vibrant, inclusive and resilient downtowns.
Cities with cold climates do not have to endure winter. With the right strategy, they can design for it.
Photos Supplied by Quartier des Spectacles International
Laura oversees 1,200+ annual events across DDP’s 18 parks and public spaces, like Campus Martius Park, drawing over 4.5 million visitors a year. She collaborates with community partners, small business owners and artists to provide free, diverse programming, including the annual Detroit Tree Lighting and headline concerts. Laura champions immersive experiences, curating acclaimed installations like Swinging Bells and Horizon at Beacon Park. A Certified Meetings Professional, her extensive career includes experiential campaigns for Chevy and Ford, and event planning for The Henry Ford Museum. Her work reflects her commitment to Detroit’s cultural vibrancy and community development.
