My Espoo on the Map: Nature responses revealed what type of urban green Espoo residents want to see
Respondents to the My Espoo on the Map survey marked on the map where more urban green and more diverse nature are needed. This is what the residents’ wishes on a greener Espoo look like.
In autumn 2024, approximately 5,000 Espoo residents responded to the My Espoo on the Map survey. The respondents marked places that are important to them or should be developed on the map. For city planners, the extensive material is a treasure chest of resident data, which can be used for many years. This series presents the results from different perspectives.
Local nature was already strongly highlighted in the previous survey round in 2020. For this reason, questions on urban green were added to the 2024 survey. The answers help city planners to understand more accurately what kind of local nature residents want.
According to the responses, especially good outdoor trails, forests for recreational use, abundant greenness in residential areas and natural shores are important for Espoo residents. The results also show how important diverse natural environments are for Espoo residents. The information obtained can be utilised in many ways, for example to justify the stronger significance of green and recreational areas in planning.
More trees and urban green for urban centres
In the survey, the respondents marked places on the map where they want more urban green. The results revealed that the greatest need lies in the two largest urban centres, Leppävaara and Tapiola. More greenness was also hoped for at Espoon keskus and along the Länsimetro at Espoonlahti, Matinkylä and Niittykumpu.
Respondents were also allowed to choose what the added urban green should be like. Based on the results, increasing the number of trees is a priority for the residents. Next, more street green was wanted. Green roofs were the least popular form of urban green.
“The planting of trees is a concrete way of promoting not only the comfort of residents but also biodiversity. With the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation, cities will also be obliged to increase the canopy cover, i.e. in practice, urban trees. The results of the My Espoo on the Map survey can help us identify areas where adding trees would bring versatile benefits to urban residents,” commented Master Planning Landscape Architect Heidi Ahlgren.
Meadows the number one choice of residents to increase biodiversity
The survey respondents also marked places on the map where they would like to see more diverse nature. Of the urban centres in Espoo, Tapiola was most clearly distinguished as a place where people would want to see more biodiversity. The surroundings of Länsimetro and Ring II were also highlighted in the map entries, as was Espoon keskus.
Respondents were also allowed to choose how biodiversity should be increased. The most popular methods were converting grassland areas into meadows, restoration of streams and improving ecological connections, for example, by planting trees.
“These results provide valuable information on how city dwellers see restoration and biodiversity, and what methods to improve them are desirable. Residents’ opinions are a good addition to support the city’s restoration plans and biodiversity work,” commented Philippe Parisot, specialist in master planning.
Responses already in use in detailed planning and research
The answers to the nature questions have already been useful in Espoo’s detailed planning. For example, Landscape Architect Ina Westerlund, who currently works on the reform of Pohjois-Leppävaara centre, has found the responses helpful:
”The responses strongly highlighted the need for urban green in Leppävaara. This is an important message for us to invest in greenness in the planning work of the Leppävaaransilta Bridge. The survey also gave us clear wishes for urban green: trees, green roofs, green yards and domestic plants are desired in the area,” says Westerlund.
Two Aalto University theses have explored the nature relationship of Espoo residents even deeper. Both utilised the My Espoo on the Map responses, especially from the perspective of experiencing local nature.
In their master’s thesis, Joona Niiranen examined which environmental variables affect the perceived quality of the City of Espoo’s local recreational and green areas. The results varied greatly from region to region. However, at least the proximity of the sea, forest and outdoor activities seemed to improve the residents’ experience of environmental quality.
In their bachelor’s thesis, Eeva Palola surveyed the views of the respondents on the development of nature and recreational areas in Espoo. The greatest hope was for new sports and recreational opportunities, as well as opportunities for leisure activities in nature, green and recreational areas. The importance of local nature in daily life and in one’s own living environment was also strongly highlighted. The greatest concern was the shrinking or disappearance of natural areas, both for people and nature itself.
View the theses based on the My Espoo on the Map data
Read more about the My Espoo on the Map surveys
Check out the other stories in the series:
First results of My Espoo on the Map 2024 available
The places named by children and young people as best in Espoo are close
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Nature-wise Espoo is an activity to take care of nature as the city grows. In order for nature and Espoo residents to continue to feel well in the future, we need residents, communities and companies to join in. Read more on the Nature-wise Espoo -website