Talking about the future of our city

  • Participation and influencing
26.11.2021 11.10

This article has originally been published in the Espoo Magazine 4/2021. Read other articles in the Espoo Magazine 4/2021

“Sustainability, well-being, safety, vitality, a pleasant and functional environment,” Interaction and Inclusion Specialist Tuuli Aaltio lists the things that Espoo’s city planning is seeking to further develop. 

Interaction with residents plays an important role in this work. January will see the launch of Our Espoo 20X0 – talking about the future of our city, a series of events that will include lectures and discussion sessions, workshops and local “timeout” round-table discussions. The Timeout concept developed by the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra) offers a new approach to engaging in social debate. It involves a constructive and coordinated conversation aimed at understanding both the topic and other people. 

The series of events has been created in cooperation with Omnia and the Espoo Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development. 

“The events originated from residents’ desire to engage in a broader discussion of what Espoo will be like in the future and for whom, how and on what terms it will be built,” says Aaltio.  

City planning considers both the big picture and numerous variables. Factors such as population growth, urbanisation and climate change will need to be taken into account well into the future. Aaltio stresses that active involvement on the part of residents always matters. Even if their proposals are not visible as such in the end result, they do tip the scales and help planners to reconcile all of the various perspectives. Therefore, she encourages residents to make their voices heard. 

“Resident participation is an important part of city planning. We take feedback seriously and want to improve our activities. In the long run, we hope to increase people’s confidence and take Espoo’s city planning in a more interactive and resident-centric direction.” 

Text: Hanna Ojanpää

“Our Espoo 20X0” will be held in January–April 2022. Registration for events opened in November via the Espoo Adult Education Centre (Omnia) page on the Ilmonet website. (external link, opens in a new window)