Residents gave constructive feedback on the contents of the plans in the residents’ event at the Lippulaiva Library
On 21 October 2025, the City Planning Department organised a Discussion on Planning resident evening. At the event, three plans available for public review were discussed at tables: Espoonlahti Electric Center, Laurinlahden koulu school and Tiiliskivenkuja. The event also provided an opportunity to discuss other current plans in Suur-Espoonlahti. Presentations of the plans in public review were also heard at the event, as well as news about other planning in the area. The plan’s residents’ event attracted more than 40 participants to the Lippulaiva library.
Please see below for an interview held after the event with the main coordinators of the plan.
What matters were most interesting to residents at the information booth?
Espoo electric substation plan: Participants feel that the location of the substation is good, as it is not very close to residential buildings. Some discussion was also held on the preservation of trees in the boundary area of the plan.
At the information booth of the Laurinlahden koulu school plan, two alternative plans for the project aroused discussion. The versions were compared, and different perspectives were highlighted, for example, on maintaining the school building of Merisaappaan koulu and the necessity of a passage through the area. Paltsa Salama, the main coordinator of the plan, says: ”The discussion was lively all evening, and it was great to hear different perspectives on possible solutions. It was particularly good to hear the views of the school’s current pupils.”
At the Tiiliskivenkuja plan information booth, the height of construction and the relationship between the plan and the detached house area was of interest. The construction is expected to remain moderate and be suitable for the adjacent detached house area.
The participants were pleased with the structure presented in the plan, in which the buildings near the detached houses were lower, e.g. terraced houses, and apartment buildings were further away from the detached houses. People hoped the apartment buildings would be lower than what was proposed in the plan. Apartment buildings of the proposed height were perceived to take away the privacy of the detached houses and their gardens, dominate the view and reduce the value of the detached houses. Many felt that the amount of construction proposed was excessive. Construction was also perceived too tight and buildings too tall. Some of the participants suggested that the yard spaces should be larger.
More pleasant environments were hoped for the plan area and Espoo as a whole.
Participants were interested in the current plans of Kiviruukki and the changes to its area and their schedule. A plan framework has been completed in the area, in which the objectives and principles of future detailed planning were defined by specifying the partial master plan. The area will be converted into a residential and workplace area in accordance with the partial master plan. The change in the area is already underway, as VTT Bioruukki pilot centre and Cleantech Garden are being built. Residential construction begins in the area when the plans in the surroundings of Tiilismäki become legally valid.
What was the atmosphere like at the event?
The atmosphere was very pleasant and calm. Planning and other future plans were discussed in a lively and constructively critical manner.
Did the city receive any other greetings?
Participants emphasised the importance of nature in the city. Opinions on green areas were divided into built and natural green areas.
View the plans for Espoonlahti Electric Center, Laurinlahden koulu school and Tiiliskivenkuja
The participation and assessment scheme of the Espoonlahti Electric Center plan is in public review from 20 October to 18 November 2025, during which time it is possible to submit an opinion on the plan. The plan proposal is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
The participation and assessment scheme of the Laurinlahden koulu school plan is in public review from 6 October to 4 November 2025, during which time it is possible to submit an opinion on the plan. The plan proposal is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
The participation and assessment scheme of the Tiiliskivenkuja plan is in public review from 20 October to 18 November 2025, during which time it is possible to submit an opinion on the plan. The plan proposal is expected to be completed in 2026.
The plans can be viewed and their progress monitored on the websites of Espoonlahti Electric Center, Laurinlahden koulu school and Tiiliskivenkuja, and they will also be communicated in the City of Espoo's plan announcements.
What else is currently happening in Espoo’s city planning?
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