Infill development

In Espoo, land use planning focuses on areas that have already been built, complementing the urban structure in a sustainable way. We want to be at the forefront of climate change mitigation also in this field. When new housing is built to complement existing neighbourhoods, the increased population will attract businesses and enable improved services. It is also more affordable to build close by existing public infrastructure than to build a completely new residential area, where residents also often need to wait for transport links or public services to arrive.

For housing companies, additional development is an opportunity, for example, to finance renovations in a building owned by the housing company, but they need to act early enough to combine the two projects. Depending on the size and implementation of the infill or additional development project, changes to the local plan are necessary in almost every case. The housing company board is recommended to seek professional help when planning an additional development project and weighing the different options. The broader the consensus within the housing company and between the parties, the more solid the base for the project.

If the housing company is interested, it is recommended to contact the city authorities from the beginning to clarify the constraints for the project. Even before the actual project planning begins, it is important to identify potential partnerships and initiate discussions with neighbouring properties. You can find out the building rights and the floor area by contacting our customer service.

If there are no fundamental obstacles, a project plan should be ordered from an architectural office, a design consultant should be hired to lead the project or co-operation with a developer company should be started right away. If the project proves to be feasible, any necessary agreements should be made and the city should be requested to start drafting the changes to the local plan and initiate land use agreement negotiations. Once the local plan has entered into force, a plot plan should be drawn up, on the basis of which the parcelling can be carried out, and the development project can begin in accordance with the land use planning.

An additional development project of a housing company is a game of endurance, with the finish line approaching round by round – no quick or easy wins are available. At the best, additional development projects have been financially profitable for the housing company, increasing both the value of the property and the quality of living. If a feasible solution is found, the city welcomes applications from housing companies for changes in local plans that will enhance the urban environment.