In the Tapiola residents’ evening, participants got to learn more about current plans and their makers
On 5 September 2023, about a hundred people attended the residents’ evening on the topic of urban environment in the Tapiola region. The new kind of fair-type event was held in the lobby of the Espoo Cultural Centre which was teeming with interest and possibilities. The residents were particularly interested in the Kulttuuriaukio Square, the master plan and the general development of the area.
The majority of the three-hour event was about freely strolling around the area and visiting the event points where residents could talk with planners, decision-makers and employees responsible for taking care of the city’s streets, parks, premises and plots. However, the spotlight was reserved for the future plans for the area; the current city plans.
There was a lot of buzz at the points where the Kulttuuriaukio Square plan, the overall Espoo master plan and the overall development of the Tapiola region were presented. There were also plenty of people and discussion at the other points where things such as the following plans were presented: Ahertajankuja, Biologi, central Haukilahti, Keilalahdenkaarre, Keilaniemi principles, Kivikaira, Kulttuuriaukio Square, Niittykumpu fire station, Niittysillankäytävä, Pohjantori, Tietäjäntie and Valkjärventie.
Free face-to-face chatting made the atmosphere at the event relaxed and comfortable. Many of the people who came to the event slightly upset went home in a good mood, and the opportunities for discussion were praised. The new implementation method was pleasant for the planners as well:
“Meeting the residents left me in a good mood, and they provided me with valuable information to support my work. It is important that we planners become known to the residents, making us easy to approach. Therefore, we want to have more events where the main focus is on free conversation,” says Aino Kuusimäki who planned the event and whose city plans concern the area.
Residents had a lot of important things to say to the city employees. In particular, the city received criticism for maintenance problems and traffic and parking arrangements in the areas of Tietäja, Tapiola and Pohjois-Tapiola. In general, many residents were concerned about the volume of new construction in Tapiola and regretted the major change in the historic garden city.
Good news for the residents included the preservation of the old Niittykumpu fire station and the protection and restoration plans of the central tower. The new theatre in Kulttuuriaukio Square was considered a good new feature, but there were concerns about the traffic arrangements of the plan. According to many, central Tapiola, especially Heikintori, could use renovation and revitalisation.
Development in Tapiola region focuses on metro station environments and protection of old building heritage
During the event, a brief informative presentation on the development of the Tapiola region was held. According to Area Architect Sampo Sikiö, the important themes in the city planning concerning the area are climate resilience and biodiversity as well as the protection of the building heritage and the increasing of the vitality of the area.
The areas around the West Metro stations are still important development targets. Keilaniemi and Otaniemi are being developed into a more diverse urban area with apartments, services and parks. In central Tapiola, attention is paid to improving the conditions for pedestrians. The surroundings of the metro stations in Niittykumpu and Urheilupuisto will become denser and Merituulenkatu will be turned into a more comfortable city street. The Tapiola region also has a lot of valuable building heritage that is currently being protected by city planning.
Watch the area architect’s presentation in its entirety on the City of Espoo's YouTube channel(external link, opens in a new window).
More residents’ evenings concerning urban environment will be held this autumn
The residents’ evening for the Tapiola region was the first of three residents’ evenings to be held this autumn on the topic of the urban environment. The next opportunities for learning more about the current city plans and their makers are the residents’ evenings for the Leppävaara region and the Central Espoo region.
What else is going on in Espoo’s urban planning at the moment?
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