Abstract: The problem of the life cycle of cities located in extreme climatic conditions of the North is studied. For the first time it is stated that the northern settlements have to be split-off into a separate category speaking about the concept of the city life cycle. It is emphasized, that there is the fundamental difference between the territories of extreme climatic conditions of the North and regions in the south. The subject of the study is represented by factors that influence on the appearance of the northern city and the duration of its life cycle. In the course of the study, three main factors were identified: 1. Features of the physical and geographical conditions of the area, 2. Possible functional purposes of the main vectors of the city's development, 3. Substance of the population. The groups of parameters that regulate the variability and the main essence of each of the proposed factors are also described. First of all the research methods involve the analysis of the references and the approaches of defining the concept of city life cycle. Further, by induction method, the factors influencing the city life cycle duration and the appearance of the northern city are formulated. The result of the study is to demonstrate the approach of the formation of the typological appearance of northern settlements. A factor-by-factor analysis is proposed – sequential analysis of the main factors determining the nature of the settlement (climate, functional vector of development, population), and then the choice of architectural, spatial and planning characteristics of the settlement (such as: solving the issue of interaction with the climate; mutual location of functional zones; estimated life of the building; the principle of territory development; interaction with the environment). It is emphasized that the northern city life cycle depends on these factors. The prospect of further research boils down to the formation of a matrix of possible typologies of the northern city, depending on the extremes of climatic conditions, the presence of vectors of functional development, the composition of the population, as well as its architectural and urban appearance.