The Council approved the master plan for the northern and central areas of Espoo
The plan will allow for 40,000 new residents and 7,000 new jobs in northern and central Espoo. The area covered by the plan is substantial, covering more than a third of Espoo’s land area.
At its meeting 7 June, the Espoo City Council approved the master plan for the northern and central areas of Espoo. The plan will allow for 40,000 new residents and 7,000 new jobs in the northern and central areas of Espoo.
The future of all the northern and central areas of the city will not be determined by the master plan, as the Council excluded three areas from the plan proposal. The areas around Hista station, Myntinmäki and Espoon keskus and its surroundings will have to wait for new decisions.
However, the master plan approved by the Council will allow for the realisation of a significant part of the objectives set out for the master plan, such as the Espoo–Salo direct rail line and further planning of the Hista station area. The plan will also allow for the realisation of the centres of Kalajärvi and Viiskorpi.
The plan covers more than a third of Espoo’s land area
The area of the master plan covers more than a third of Espoo’s total land area. The current master plan for the northern parts of Espoo came into force in 1997. This plan is unable to meet the challenges of the growing Helsinki Metropolitan Area and the changing city.
The new master plan creates the framework for the urban environment and well-being of the future. Its goal is to steer long-term development while reconciling population growth, urbanisation and carbon neutrality. The more detailed planning of the area will be carried out with local detailed plans in the next few decades.
Nature and services nearby
Future residents of northern and central Espoo will be able to choose to live in either denser urban centres or new urban single-family house areas. The urban centres will be able to ensure the availability of services that require a sufficient pool of residents. In areas consisting primarily of housing, areas reserved for single-family housing have been increased or the possibilities for implementing them have been strengthened.
Dense construction in urban centres will leave more space for natural environments. The ecologically, culturally and historically notable green spaces and water bodies of northern and central Espoo are preserved in the new master plan. Approximately half of the planned area will consist of recreational areas, forests, conservation areas and green spaces in the future as well.
Public transport between the centres is planned to be improved. Fast trunk connections have been proposed from Kalajärvi to Vihdintie and Leppävaara. There is also a desire to improve cycling conditions. To this end, the plan sets out the construction of fast cycling corridors from Kalajärvi to Vantaa via Vihdintie and via Viiskorpi over Lake Pitkäjärvi to the direction of Leppävaara.
The master plan for the northern and central areas of Espoo was drafted in cooperation with various stakeholders, reconciling various interests. The master plan is based on feedback from residents and comprehensive reviews regarding the urban structure, transport and the environment.
- Urban development