A recent study by the University of Gothenburg has found that the new settlement, moved to make room for an expanding iron ore mine, can be up to 10°C colder in winter than the old town. The reason lies in geography and design: Kiruna's new site sits in a hollow where frigid air collects, while tall modern buildings block the low Arctic sun for much of the year.
"It was known that the new conditions would be harsher," says Jennie Sjöholm, a built heritage expert at the University of Gothenburg. "The knowledge of how to plan for Arctic living existed — but it wasn't fully applied."
A century of Arctic wisdom set aside
When the mining company LKAB first built Kiruna in 1900, architect Per Olof Hallman carefully positioned the town on a sunlit, south-facing slope. Streets curved with the terrain to minimise wind tunnels, and homes were designed for warmth and shelter.
But in the new Kiruna, planners prioritised transport links and modern infrastructure over microclimate. The result, according to residents, is a city that feels exposed and impersonal. Some describe the new main square as "a wind tunnel," while others lament the loss of character and community.
Why Kiruna had to move
Kiruna was founded over a century ago to serve one of the world's largest iron ore mines. As the mine expanded, valuable minerals — including Europe's biggest known reserve of rare earth elements — were discovered beneath the town itself. But that growth destabilised the ground, threatening homes and roads with collapse.
To keep the mine running, Swedish authorities and LKAB launched an unprecedented project to move the entire town several kilometres east — building new homes, schools, and civic centres piece by piece. The relocation is expected to continue until 2035.
The transformation has also affected Indigenous Sámi communities, whose traditional reindeer migration routes now intersect with the mine and new transport corridors. Herders say they must travel further to reach their winter grazing lands, disrupting practices that go back centuries.
Lessons for a changing Arctic
Kiruna's experience has become a case study in what not to overlook as more Arctic settlements face relocation due to mining, thawing permafrost, and climate change.
Urban designers say that small choices — such as building orientation, height, and landscape design — can make a dramatic difference in comfort and energy use in polar regions.
"The new Kiruna is still evolving," Sjöholm notes. "With trees, street furniture, and thoughtful design, conditions can improve. But many of the fundamental decisions have already been made."
For now, the town that was meant to offer a new beginning is still searching for its warmth.