Residents’ event on the Soukanniemi detailed plan generated a lively discussion on the amount of construction, the preservation of the area’s characteristics and the expansion of street areas
A residents’ event on the Soukanniemi detailed plan was held at Lippulaiva Library on 16 January 2025. The event attracted 120 residents and landowners interested in the development of the area. The detailed plan was drawn up on the basis of applications from landowners and the city’s goals of increasing the density of the urban structure and building more single-family houses. The detailed plan has been pending for a long time, and its preparation has divided residents. Some residents wish to see more development, while others are strongly opposed to it.
The event was opened by Isto Havu, Chair of the City Planning Committee. Planning Engineer and Lead Planner Matias Kallio and Landscape Architect Anja Karhula presented the detailed plan proposal and surveys of the area. Furthermore, Tommi Henriksson, Land Use Specialist from the Real Estate Department, talked about the principles of land use agreements. Finally, views on the development of the area were shared in discussion groups.
What is the content of the plan proposal?
The aim of the detailed plan is to allow for the development of the small-house area of Soukanniemi, taking into account the natural and cultural values of the area. The area is planned to accommodate around 700 new residents. As a rule, the efficiency of the residential blocks will vary between e=0.10–0.25.
The plan proposal only allows for the construction of detached houses, not blocks of flats. The proposal includes around 15 hectares of recreational areas. The technical implementation of the municipal infrastructure will be considered in more detailed at a later stage, when the general municipal infrastructure plan will be updated at the approval stage of the plan.
Development of the detailed plan divided residents
Several residents were pleased with the progress of the plan, the amount of development and the fact that more natural areas were planned to be preserved. However, there was also strong opposition to the development of the detailed plan.
The area has been subject to nature surveys, a cultural environment survey and a building inventory. The discussions with residents focused on the need to preserve the characteristics and nature of the area. Recreational areas were wished to be preserved in as natural a state as possible.
Many landowners expressed a desire to develop their property. Some landowners would have liked to see an increase in the permitted building volume in some places and for the plan to allow for smaller building sites. Other landowners at the event expressed a wish to see a reduction in the amount of additional construction proposed for their property. There was also a discussion on the urban planning economics and land use agreements, especially regarding the basis for determining the contractual compensation and the payment schedule.
Construction of streets raised concerns among attendees
The planned street network will conform with existing roads, but construction will require larger street areas and the street environment will become more developed. The busiest streets will have pavements. Many residents felt that the street planning was too massive and expensive and that the construction would change the environment too much.
Learn more about the Soukanniemi detailed plan proposal
The Soukanniemi detailed plan proposal is available on the plan web page from 16 December 2024 to 28 January 2025. During the period of public review, you can submit an objection concerning the plan. Instructions for submitting an objection can be found on the website. Next, the plan will move to the approval stage in around 2026. The timetable for the plan will be refined based on feedback.
Updates on the progress of the planning work will be provided via the plan web pages and the City of Espoo town plan announcements.
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