Hot topics in residents’ event for Kulttuuriaukio Square plan included traffic arrangements, pick-up/drop-off traffic and parking
The Kulttuuriaukio Square plan proposal was discussed with residents at an information and discussion event held on 19 March 2024. 90 active residents were present at the event.
What is the plan about?
The plan aims to turn the environment of Kulttuuriaukio Square into a diverse combination of culture, services and business. Some housing is also being proposed for the area. The Cultural Centre will be expanded with a new performance hall, which will be mainly used by the Espoo City Theatre. The area’s cultural historically valuable buildings, the Cultural Centre, Keskustorni, the Tapiontori business centre and Infokioski, will be marked as sites to be protected.
At the residents’ event, the Kulttuuriaukio Square plan proposal was presented by Architect Minna Järvenpää, who led the preparation of the plan, and Traffic Planner Olli Koivula and Regional Architect Sampo Sikiö. They also answered residents’ questions. The event was also attended by Tapiola Project Manager Jarmo Kulmala, Project Manager Anna Jaskiewicz from the Cultural Unit, Interaction Project Coordinator Mervi Romppanen and Landscape Architect Riikka Nousiainen from Nomaji Landscape Architects, and they all answered questions asked by the audience. The event was chaired by Pirjo Kemppi-Virtanen from the City Planning Committee.
Here is a short interview with Minna Järvenpää right after the event.
What aspects of the plan amendment for Kulttuuriaukio Square interested the residents the most?
The bicycle and pedestrian routes and other traffic arrangements in the area sparked much discussion. After the renovation of Kulttuuriaukio Square, there will no longer be parking at the square, as parking places will in the future be mainly located in central parking in Tapiola. We also talked about the pick-up and drop-off traffic for the cultural centre and theatre as well as the functionality of the gallery corridor between the buildings.
People were interested in the possibility of utilising Kulttuuriaukio Square for various events. The utilisation of Aarne Ervin aukio Square was also of interest. Attendees of the residents’ event also asked why the idea of an underground theatre was abandoned and what is the status of Marimekkotalo. The moderation in the height of new construction and the protection of buildings in the area were considered a good thing. People expressed that they still want to have a bowling alley in the area in the future, and the plan amendment enables this. The participants of the event also hoped that the Tapiontori fountain would be restored.
What was the atmosphere at the event like?
The atmosphere was good and conversational. It was interesting to get feedback directly from the residents and hear which issues were of particular interest. We hope that we were able to provide information and correct answers.
Did residents send any other messages to the city?
People would like the signage in central Tapiola to be improved. The city was also proposed that the use of parking discs be introduced in central areas.
What aspects of the plan amendment for Kulttuuriaukio Square are important to understand?
The intention is to transform Kulttuuriaukio Square into a verdant and comfortable multi-purpose square. The aim is to have the new buildings in the area fit their surroundings as well as possible. Traffic, parking and maintenance arrangements will be modified to better serve the development of the environment. The aim is to adapt all changes in the area to Tapiola’s valuable cultural environment.
How is the planning area connected to the general development of Tapiola?
The development of central Tapiola aims to achieve an urban centre that is diverse and vibrant, and of high quality in terms of cityscape and functionality. The centre will also take the cultural historical values of the area into account. The Kulttuuriaukio Square plan amendment strives to meet these objectives.
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The Kulttuuriaukio Square plan proposal and its appendices are available for public review and residents can comment on them until 3 April 2024 on the City of Espoo website (in Finnish).
After the public review, the plan proposal will be reviewed based on the feedback received. After this, the proposal will be submitted to be approved by the City Planning Committee and then the City Board.
Updates on the progress of the planning work will be provided via the plan web page and the City of Espoo town plan announcements (in Finnish). If you would like to receive email notifications about plan progress, you can subscribe to our regular Have Your Say Now newsletter (in Finnish).