Elham Khademi - PHD candidate of urban design,University Technology Malaysia

.Environmental problems have become a worldwide concern for economists, planners and designers, as iswitnessed by the development of many theories and policies aimed at driving the policies towards a‘sustainable environmental design'. Sustainable design and sustainable urban planning is in need of socialsustainability, and social sustainability is unable to get by without citizen’s participation. Therefore publicparticipation plays a crucial role in the way to achieve social sustainability. Attempts to generate a climateresponsive”winter urban form are part of a relatively recent phenomenon and field of investigation toachieve sustainability. In conjunction with the international winter cities” movement, it is important torecognize that winter-induced discomforts exist and that they must be acknowledged in planning theory andpractice. The main principles to be incorporated in exemplary winter city” design should be contact withnature, year round usability, user participation, cultural continuity, and the creation of comfortable microclimatic conditions throughout much of the city’s open spaces.Creating optimum conditions for human wellbeing,habitation, work and intellectual development in each of the four seasons is vital under harsh environments. Adopting a climate-sensitive approach to planning policy and urban design can render everyday life less stressful.

.social sustainability, climate, public participation, city planning