Fifth Mayors Conference
Host City
Montréal, Canada (Mayor: Jean Dore)
Venue
Montréal Convention Center
Period
January 17-21, 1992
Participants
Member cities: 34 cities from 11 countries
Innsbruck (Austria), Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Hull, Laval, Montréal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Regina, St. Johns, Winnipeg, Yellowknife (Canada), Changchun, Harbin, Jiamusi, Jilin, Qiqihar, Shenyang (China), Prague (Czechoslovakia), Nuuk (Greenland), Helsinki, Oulu (Finland), Grenoble (France), Aomori, Sapporo, Takikawa (Japan), Lillehammer, Oslo, Tromsø (Norway), Luleå, Stockholm (Sweden), Anchorage, Minneapolis (United States)
Observers: 13 cities from 3 countries
Baie James, Beaconsfield, Boucherville, Chibougamau, Grandby, Lasalle, Magog, Matagami, Montmagny, Repentigny, Sherbrooke (Canada), Kiruna (Sweden), Bratsk (Russia)
Supported by
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Main Theme
The series of events, including the Northern Intercity Conference, was called the “5th International Winter Cities Biennial, Montréal 1992” with the general theme of “Living in harmony with winter.”
Themes and reporters
Outline of the report compiled by the Winter Urban Environmental Research Subcommittee …… Sapporo, Montréal
Sessions
1. Environment
2. Urban planning
3. Health and physical strength
Signing the Declaration
Thirty-two mayors signed a “Common Declaration on Behalf of Cities and Local Authorities,” a statement drawn up at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992 as an appeal for sustainable urban development, protection of the environment, and international cooperation at local levels.
The Second Winter Urban Environmental Research Subcommittee Meeting
The Subcommittee meeting had been held the day before the Conference, and the report, “Harmony between Road Management and Environment in Winter,” was presented by the mayors of Sapporo and Montréal at the Conference.
Events held in conjunction with the Conference
1. ’92 Winter Cities Showcase
(1) Winter Cities Forum ’92
Participants: approximately 675 people
(2) Winter Expo ’92
211 corporations from 6 countries
(3) Winter Cities Award Competition
42 items submitted
2. Business Worldwide
3. Community Program
(1) 10th Snow Festival
(2) 44 other cultural and sport events
4. Polar Tech ’92
5. ’92 Expo Habitat
Supporting Event
“The 5th International Winter Cities Biennial, Montréal 1992” became a supporting event to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the establishment of Montréal and the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the first settler on the North American continent.
Outcome of the Conference
1. The fact that the Northern Intercity Conference gained support from UNESCO proves its worldwide recognition.
2. The online system of the Northern Intercity Information Exchange Program proposed by the mayor of Edmonton at the Tromsø Conference, had been tested between Edmonton and Sapporo just before the Conference. During the Conference, the participating mayors reached an accord on the full-scale establishment of this project.
3. The report, “Harmony between Road Management and Environment in Winter,” compiled by the Winter Urban Environmental Research Subcommittee, outlined guidelines for snow management, including development of a less polluting de-icer as substitute for salt, snow melting gutters, and a road heating system. It enjoyed an affirmative evaluation as a guidebook for each northern city. The continuation of the Subcommittee was agreed.
4. Thirty-two mayors signed a “Common Declaration on Behalf of Cities and Local Authorities” for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. This signified the northern city mayors’ commitment toward the recognition of cities’ roles in protecting the world’s environment.
