Editorial: Resident-oriented Espoo and a sustainable future are our primary goals

As I write this editorial, Espoo has just elected a new mayor, and the next person writing this column will be Kai Mykkänen. 

It has been my privilege to work as mayor since 2011. During these 14 years, the population of Espoo has grown by more than 66,000 people. We have made huge investments in a sustainable future, with 1,700 infrastructure projects, including the West Metro and the light rail. We have built or renovated 24 day care centres and 29 schools. 

At the same time, Espoo’s climate emissions per capita have halved, and our goal of being carbon-neutral by 2030 is still realistic. We have achieved all this together. Espoo’s most important resource is its residents, communities and companies. 

Our key objective has been to develop Espoo in such a way that the city’s growth is sustainable across all dimensions: economic, ecological, social and cultural. The aim is to guarantee that current and especially future generations have at least the same or better opportunities to live and thrive as we have had.

The City of Espoo came second in the European Commission's Capital of Innovation Awards and was the only Finnish city in the finals of the global Smart City Awards. I am proud of my hometown and that our good work is being recognised internationally. We work responsibly, looking for sustainable solutions and genuinely striving for innovation. 

The mayor does not work alone and is most likely to succeed when the entire community is involved in building a sustainable future. 

For my part, I would like to warmly thank the residents, associations and businesses of Espoo as well as our training and development partners for their cooperation. A city is made by its people and community together. 

This editorial has originally been published in the Espoo-lehti 3/2024. Read other articles in the Espoo-lehti.