Detailed plan amendment for Karamalminrinne aims to create a distinctive residential area and increase services
The detailed plan amendment for Karamalminrinne proceeds to the proposal stage. The goal of the plan amendment is to create a new, distinctive residential area of block of flats located between the surroundings of the Kera station and the Karamalmi workplace hub. Another goal is to diversify the service structure of the workplace hub and demonstrate the new alignment of the public transport trunk connection running through the area.
Goal is a distinctive and cohesive area with good connections
A new residential area is being planned for Karamalminrinne which will become part of the developing Kera area. In accordance with the Espoo Story, Kera is being developed into a compact urban centre located by the railway. The new residential area makes the urban structure between the central Kera area and the Karaportti workplace hub more compact. The aim is to increase the sustainability and attractiveness of the residential area with different types of housing and verdant walking environments.
The Karaportti office blocks will largely remain as they are; a workplace hub. In addition, the aim is to diversify the way the office blocks are used. This would increase the occupancy rate of the buildings and bring more services to the area.
Sustainable forms of transport are emphasised in the planning of Kera. The Espoo City Railway will further improve the service level of rail traffic. The Karamalminrinne plan has provisions for the implementation of the public transport trunk connection as a high-speed tram line. In addition, the plan has paid attention to smooth pedestrian and bicycle traffic connections.
Taking biodiversity into account in a densifying city challenges urban planning
The opinions submitted to us through the city plan’s participation and assessment plan mainly concerned the volume of construction and deforestation. Based on the opinions, people want to spare the forested areas.
In the 2021 nature report, the forest in the southwestern part of the area was found to have high natural value, in the scope of southern Espoo. The forest area contains core areas of the flying squirrel, as well as occurrences of the green shield-moss. A part of the forest will be allocated for the use of construction. The block areas located in the area have been restricted to avoid areas with high natural value. A relatively large area of nature will also be spared. The city plan solution secures the ecological connections of the area and the known breeding and resting places of the flying squirrel.
In the case of Karapellontie, a part of the core area of the flying squirrel needs to be used as a street area in order to enable the trunk connection of public transport running through the area and the appropriate planning of the urban structure. This solution requires a special permit concerning the destruction and deterioration of the breeding and resting places of the flying squirrel. The special permit is granted by the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
The planning of the city plan area has aimed to enable the development of diverse urban nature. The plan includes the obligation to take biodiversity into account in, for example, the planning of plantings. On the edges of the residential blocks, there will be planting zones and the planning of the yard areas will be steered with a green factor.
More information
The City Planning Committee will process the release of the Karamalminrinne plan proposal for public viewing in its meeting on 13 September 2023. If the Committee approves the plan proposal for public viewing, residents will be able to comment on it. The plan can also be discussed at the regional residents’ evening for the Leppävaara area on 3 October at the Sello Library.