We protect nature and healthy environment in Espoo

Laura does not draw up land use plans herself but advises colleagues in the City Planning Unit, Public Works Department, Environment and Building Control Department, and Building Site Services. She gives statements on plans, building permits and landscape work permits and provides advice on nature conservation issues, such as flying squirrels. Laura mostly works with colleagues within the city, but sometimes external parties, such as construction companies, contact her for advice.

“Environmental specialists can act as objective parties ensuring that environmental impacts are taken into account. We can be objective as we are not responsible for the implementation or costs of planning and construction projects. I always look at the big picture instead of focusing on a single project.”

Laura enjoys the outdoors in her leisure time. Local knowledge is key for discussing Espoo’s natural assets and assessing environmental impacts.

Laura, who has a degree in environmental biology, has worked for the City of Espoo since 2015. Previously, she worked at a consulting firm, and even then, she was fascinated by city planning. 

“This work has it all. I get to assess the environmental impacts of construction and give advice on nature conservation. We try to look for solutions with minimal negative effects. I also advise people if they need permits from authorities that monitor compliance with the Nature Conservation Act, such as the ELY Centre.”

Espoo has a biodiversity action plan. Extensive information about Espoo’s natural assets has been entered into the city’s geographic information system. This information is important for those in charge of land use planning. When a planner checks the information and sees that there is an endangered habitat type in the area under planning, they ask Laura for advice. They may ask, for example, how close to a moor frog’s spawning pond a building can be placed.

The abundance of natural areas in Espoo makes Laura happy. 

“If I had to show Espoo to tourists, I would take them to Kivenlahti. There are old and new buildings side by side and, of course, the sea and marina. We would stroll along the Waterfront Walkway, hike up to Tyrskyvuori and continue on to Sammalvuori. The density of the woods there takes you by surprise; is this really the second-largest city in Finland?”

Saara’s career path has been interesting. Before her job at Espoo, she lived in Denmark and China. After studying environmental ecology at the University of Helsinki, she completed her doctoral thesis in Aarhus, Denmark, on the effects of nitrogen and climate change on shallow lakes. Her work took her to China, where she studied heavily polluted water bodies.

Saara landed her current position with the City of Espoo in 2018.

“I really enjoyed research. However, I prefer working with people, and I wanted to do something tangible to improve the state of water bodies. I also want to educate people on the importance of our water environment and on climate change adaptation. I was very lucky to find a job in Espoo: among the capital region municipalities, we have the highest number of lakes, streams and ponds. And, of course, we have the sea.”

Saara’s job includes a variety of different duties. On a typical day, her tasks may include writing a report about flowing water, advising construction sites on water treatment, or devising plans on integrating water considerations into land use planning. Her job includes fieldwork, and one of her projects involves improving water management in the drainage area of Lake Pitkäjärvi together with a colleague. She also has statutory duties: Saara is responsible for exemption applications and monitoring tasks under the Water Services Act.

Water protection is a joint effort, as water bodies often cross the boundaries of municipalities or plots.

“I work closely with my colleagues in the Building Control Department, Public Works Department and City Planning Unit. We cooperate with other municipalities in the capital region and with international networks. City residents, associations and water cooperatives also play an important role. Espoo gives out annual grants for the restoration of water bodies.”

Saara also works with another important and particularly relevant issue: climate change adaptation. She is in charge of related matters in Espoo.

Espoo prepares for both heat and flooding. The hot summers of 2018 and 2021 taught us that the city must be prepared for intense heatwaves. Espoo is already a pioneer in flood prevention: the city has managed to control flood risks in, for example, Nuottaniemi, Kivenlahti and Kirkkojärvi.

“The city is growing and becoming denser, and as the climate changes at the same time, water needs more space. Espoo must therefore be innovative. Instead of just managing stormwater, we must put it to use.”

And where would Saara take a tourist to admire nature in Espoo?

“I would take them to the Glomsinjoki river valley. It’s a wonderful place, rich in species and cultural landscapes with fields and old buildings.”

“Some inspections are made at the request of a concerned city resident. Residents can contact us if they detect suspicious activities, such as environmental pollution or waste being dumped in nature. Some visits are pre-arranged inspections of places like industrial plants,” Maria says.

Maria carries out regular inspection visits to sites whose operations require an environmental permit or whose activities are monitored for pollution prevention purposes. These include plants and breweries that use chemicals. During the visits, Maria checks that the activities continue to comply with the regulations.

“If I notice any problems, I can tell the staff what needs to be done. I will also prepare written instructions and make a follow-up visit to make sure that the instructions have been followed.”

Maria has a lot on her plate – she monitors industrial plants, soil pollution and littering and works with noise abatement and groundwater issues. She cooperates with both external and internal stakeholders. Within the city, Maria collaborates especially with the specialists working for the Nature and Environmental Information Unit.

“We can issue joint statements, for example on building permits. The Environmental Supervision Unit provides their view on factors relevant to environmental pollution, such as soil or groundwater pollution and waste treatment. My colleagues in the Nature and Environmental Information Unit can comment on matters related to stormwater and nature conservation, for example.”

Before landing her job as an environmental inspector at the City of Espoo, Maria worked at a consulting firm. She has worked for the city since 2017. As an Espoo resident herself, she enjoys being able to improve her hometown and its environmental health through her work.

“The best thing is that I can actually have an impact and see the results of my work as the city is developed, an illegal activity stops, or a specific area gets cleaned up. It’s very rewarding.”

Maria wants to build a clean and pleasant Espoo with no major environmental problems or risk of environmental pollution. To a visitor arriving in Espoo, she would first show the beautiful Waterfront Walkway and Tapiola’s pedestrian centre, once the construction work in the area is completed.

“The Waterfront Walkway is a beautiful route for cycling and walking, especially in summer, when the surrounding nature is at its best. There are rocks, pine trees, beaches and cafés. The centre of Tapiola has fine architecture, which definitely makes it worth visiting.”

Niko is an environmental inspector who works with air quality issues in Espoo. He started working for the city as a fresh graduate 25 years ago after completing his master’s degree in environmental engineering. Over the decades, his duties have changed, but not his motivation.

“The best part of this job is being able to help others,” Niko says.

His knowledge of environmental legislation is tested daily as he answers questions from residents, companies and authorities together with other experts from his unit. In addition to providing advice, his work includes preparing documents, such as various environmental protection regulations and permits, and planning and developing operations.

Through his development work, Niko aims to make smoke-free and dust-free air beneficial for all, even the parties whose operations are producing smoke and dust.

“Construction sites generate too much dust, causing the neighbourhood to suffer. The dust is only removed during the final site cleanup. My job is to come up with ideas for improving the working culture at construction sites, convincing builders of the benefits of a dust-free work environment, and instructing them how to prevent dust pollution.”

Niko often works together with Espoo’s City Planning Department and the Air Quality Unit of Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY). The aim of the cooperation is to make sure that air quality is taken into consideration in city planning and building ventilation design.

“Air quality must be assessed, especially when housing is planned next to roads. However, if a residential building is planned next to a road in an area with lower air quality levels, ventilation can be provided through the building’s inner courtyard or roof. Air quality in these areas is usually good.”

Niko has been pleasantly surprised by life in the capital region. He enjoys the varied nature in Espoo – the seashore, the gloomy old spruce forests and thickets of ferns — and the excellent cycling paths. Niko is a cycling enthusiast and cycles in all weathers.

“I love the mornings when I can ride my bike to work.”

Niko hopes that Espoo’s future will be free of noise and pollution. That is why he encourages others to take up cycling too. His favourite place in Espoo is the area around Leppävaara Manor.

“It’s an authentic part of Espoo with fields, woods and houses. There are also excellent routes for both cyclists and walkers.”

Katri has worked in environmental protection at the City of Espoo for over 20 years. She supports other city units in environmental education and organises further training for teachers. Katri manages projects that produce teaching materials for schools and touring exhibitions for libraries.

“I spend much of my day on my computer, exchanging emails. In addition, I meet exhibition organisers and cooperation partners and serve the customers of the nature house. I plan exhibitions, design exhibition posters, and update our webpages.”

Katri gets inspired by effective cooperation and good cooperation partners. She works in close cooperation with the city’s other communications staff and her colleagues within her service area.

“The update of Villa Elfvik’s permanent exhibition ‘Long Live Espoo’ was carried out in cooperation with environmental protection experts. I also work together with schools and early childhood education units. For example, I have advocated for schools and day care centres to get their voices heard in decision-making concerning local forests.”

Katri hopes that in Espoo, nature will always be close by, accessible to all and valued by city residents.

“Nature is our lifeline. I feel I’m doing valuable work in helping people understand the importance of nature and the effects of their own activities on the surrounding environment. It’s the best part of this job.”

Katri points out that spending time in nature is beneficial for people’s wellbeing. For those enjoying diverse nature, she recommends the deciduous forest in Fiskarsinmäki, located in the Espoonlahti nature reserve.

“As a biologist, I love the old linden trees, the decaying trunks, and the floral splendour of spring – the different anemones and dog’s mercury. During the coronavirus pandemic, a video(external link, opens in a new window) filmed at Fiskarsinmäki was posted on the City of Espoo website, enabling viewers to admire the spring flowers throughout the year.