Collaborative research projects and successful cooperation with residents were the highlights of the Suburban Programme 2020–2022
The Suburban Programme 2020–2022 (‘Lähiöohjelma’ in Finnish), which focused on the largest cities in Finland, has ended. Coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment, the programme aimed to prevent the segregation of residential areas, increase the wellbeing and participation of residents, promote the vitality of residential areas and improve services and living environments. In Espoo, the target areas were Matinkylä and Espoon keskus. A total of 11 projects received investment and development funding from the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA).
Old and new areas merge together in Matinkylä
In Matinkylä, the projects that received funding included the renovation of the Matinkylä residents’ park and construction of a resident’s park building, the refurbishment of the Kalapuisto park as a gateway to the old Matinkylä, the reconstruction of the Kala-Maija bridge and other important pedestrian and cycling routes nearby, and the renovation of the Matinlahdenranta underpass. The wooden school building in Tiistilä, which will be completed in 2024, was one of the facility projects to receive funding. The new school with its premises available for resident use will strengthen the vitality of the area, a sense of community and the local identity.
Cooperation within the Suburban Programme’s Espoo-related collaborative research projects was particularly active in Matinkylä. The studies focused, among other things, on suburban environments and their value factors, the state and controlled densification of suburbs, and the role of schools in suburbs.
“In addition to obtaining new information on suburbs, I am especially glad that the programme funding allowed us to launch the art tunnel project suggested by local residents. Moreover, cooperation with housing companies can continue in Matinkylä as we received funding from the ministry to accelerate energy measures and to boost cooperation,” says Project Manager Kai Fogelholm from the City of Espoo.
Espoon keskus projects were successful in spite of challenges
In Espoon keskus, the city carried out and completed several projects aimed at making parks, pedestrian and cycling routes and green area networks more pleasant and functional. The most significant projects to receive funding were the improvement of Kylänraitti in Kirkkojärvi and the park paths along the Espoonjoki river as well as their flood protection, starting the construction of the green corridor between Lakelanpuisto and Kirkkosillanpuisto leading to the cultural environment of the Espoo Cathedral, and the refurbishment of the Valapuisto park and nearby pedestrian and cycling routes next to the Entresse shopping centre.
“The coronavirus pandemic at the beginning of the programme period almost ruined our plans for cooperation with residents,” Fogelholm says. “However, we did well in spite of all the challenges. The Entresse rooftop terrace project carried out with young people is an excellent example of cross-administrative cooperation and resident participation.”
Suburban Programme on the website of the Ministry of the Environment(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish)