Nearly 1,500 opinions received on draft plan of Espoo Master Plan 2060
The draft plan of the Espoo Master Plan 2060 was available for public review from 3 June to 3 September 2024. Nearly 1,500 opinions on the draft were submitted either directly to the map platform or to the city registry office. The opinions highlighted the change in residents’ local environment, detached house areas and local recreation. Aspects of the draft plan deemed positive included the concentration of more densely built housing along railways and the high number of detached house areas. The feedback received will be used in the preparation of the plan proposal, which will be made available for public review in 2026.
Espoo has grown significantly in recent decades and this is expected to continue. According to the city’s population forecasts, the population may even exceed 500,000 in 2060.
The master plan is a tool with which the city will anticipate and prepare for coming changes so that growth can be managed in a controlled and systematic manner.
“The future of Espoo concerns us all, and I would like to thank everyone who gave feedback on the draft plan. The feedback received gives us valuable perspectives on the preparation of the plan solution,” says Master Planning Manager Essi Leino from the City Planning Department about the progress of the plan work.
Importance of local environment was highlighted in opinions
In total, almost 1,500 opinions were submitted concerning the draft plan. Of these, 850 were given directly in the form of geographical information on the map platform. In addition, 650 opinions were submitted to the city’s registry office. The distribution of opinions broadly followed the population of the major districts. By far the most map markings and other opinions were directed at the Suur-Leppävaara area.
Opinions concerned both individual areas and more general topics, such as being in favour of detached housing. The majority did not want the current detached house areas to become more densely built or have blocks of flats in the area, even though some residents saw a more densely built residential area as a positive thing. Residents expressed that they would like the regulations concerning residential areas to be specified so that they could better predict the future of their residential area.
Feedback on rail network solutions often highlighted the impact of the track plan on residents’ local environment. However, the development of public transport was considered important. The light rail line was seen as an important project, especially in the Leppävaara and Suurpelto areas, that would improve transport connections in residential areas. With regard to the expansion of the metro network, residents were particularly concerned about the costs.
A great deal of feedback was given in favour of preserving local recreational areas. Residents also paid a lot of attention to the continuity of green areas and the connections between them. Outdoor routes split opinions in Suvisaaristo and Pitkäjärvi, and residents were especially concerned about the impact that the route running around Lippajärvi Lake has on nature values. In the feedback, residents expressed that they would like the Rantaraitti waterfront walkway to be developed. They also would like more attention to be paid to the different beach services than proposed in the draft plan. In addition to recreational aspects, it was hoped that the protected areas would be expanded and their number increased, and the island of Tvijälp off Westend was to be excluded from construction.
“The common goal of all of us is to make sure that in the near future, Espoo continues to be an attractive and vibrant city where everyday life runs smoothly and nature is always nearby. This was also reflected in the feedback received from the residents, both during the preparation of the goals and now in the opinions given on the draft,” says Leino.
A couple of dozen statements from the authorities were submitted on the draft. Several statements welcomed the draft Espoo Master Plan 2060’s initiative concerning new rail network solutions. At the same time, a regional assessment of the transport network was called for.
Residents have been involved from the beginning
Residents have contributed to the master plan work in all previous stages. Residents’ opinions have already influenced the goals of the plan, based on which the draft plan has been prepared. The opinions given on the draft are taken into account in the next stage, that is, when plan proposal is prepared. It is estimated to be made available for public review in 2026. More detailed information about the interaction in the draft stage and how feedback influenced the plan solution will be provided in the context of the plan proposal.
Once the plan proposal is made available for public review, residents will again have the opportunity to participate in plan interaction and comment on the plan proposal and submit objections about it. The master plan will be approved by the City Council in 2027.
The draft Espoo Master Plan 2060 can be viewed using a visual story map(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish), which describes both the starting points for the plan solution and the different plan markings, as well as the different public transport corridors. On the story map, you can compare the current master plans and the draft plan, as well as view a summary of the opinions received concerning the draft plan.
Learn more about the Espoo Master Plan 2060.
The master plan website has more information about the Espoo Master Plan 2060.
