Climate-smart city planning

To mitigate climate change, it is important that Espoo also reduces its carbon dioxide emissions rapidly and that forests are able to absorb carbon even in the future. Through city planning, we can reduce emissions and help our city adapt to climate change.

We will respond to the challenges posed by climate change by developing Espoo as a pleasant city close to nature where everyday services can be reached by foot, bicycle or public transport. Through city planning, we aim to reconcile the city’s pressure for growth and its emissions reduction and carbon sink conservation goals.

Mobility – cars, in particular – cause a significant portion of our carbon dioxide emissions. They key to reducing emissions from traffic is to make walking, cycling and public transport appealing and easy.

We can promote this goal by designing varying and pleasant residential areas. Our goal is for everyday services, such as schools, daycare centres, green areas and grocery shops to be within a walking or cycling distance for as many people as possible.

An efficient and functional public transport network offers a viable alternative to cars on longer trips. This is why we are directing construction mainly next to public transport connections.

As Espoo’s population grows, we will need more housing and services. By adding to and developing existing residential areas and centres, we can preserve and protect the vast and connected green areas in Espoo. They are key carbon stocks and sinks, but also recreational environments loved by residents.

Urban infill and the development of the centres also help us secure local services.

When planning the infilling of residential areas, we also need to take care of their greenery and pleasantness. Through city planning, we can steer construction so that residential areas have sufficient local green areas and yards. They cool the air when the weather is hot, absorb and transpire rainwater and maintain habitats for various species of flora and fauna amid the changing climate.

We can also prevent and prepare for floods if we set requirements for stormwater holding in the plan and designate floodplains as green areas or direct seaside construction to be sufficiently high.

Heating buildings consumes immense amounts of energy. The amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused by heating depends on how the energy is generated.

Through urban planning, we can promote the use of renewable and low-emission energy sources. We can study which production methods of renewable energy are best suited for each area. We may also set requirements in the plan solutions regarding factors such as the developer paying attention to the use of solar energy, geothermal heating and heat recovery in a building.

Mitigating and adapting to climate change ensure our well-being even in the future.