Three conservation plans progressing in Tapiola, next up for public review the Aarnivalkea participation and assessment scheme

The Tapiola area is a nationally significant built cultural environment (RKY) with building and culture historical value. The cityscape in the built cultural environment area must be protected, so special emphasis must be placed on conserving the character of the area in planning and construction. Conservation will not only apply to individual buildings, but to the cityscape as a whole in order to preserve the characteristics of the area. The purpose of the conservation plans is to safeguard the values of Tapiola’s historic garden city so that its valuable building stock can be renovated and maintained and the environment conserved.

The Aarnivalkea residential area is a lush green residential area mainly built in the 1950s, which has been conserved relatively well. The area predominantly consists of single-storey single-family houses. Aarnivalkeantie road has four 4-storey apartment blocks and the Aarnivalkea school. Aarnivalkea School’s original name was Tapiolan kansakoulu, and it was the first school building built in Tapiola Garden City. The school building was exceptional for its construction period due to it being a single-storey structure, how the indoor spaces are divided and brightly lit central corridors equipped with large windows.

The goal of the Aarnivalkea conservation plan is to preserve the area’s unique characteristics and to define the constraints for the renovation and management of the area. The plan is to protect the existing, original buildings in the area and the cityscape. In connection with the preparation of the plan, the construction rights and areas of residential buildings will be reviewed. In addition, the conservation status of Silkkiniitty and the Aarnivalkea school will be defined.

In connection with the change in the local detailed plan, the possibilities for renovation and expansion of Aarnivalkea school will be examined. At the same time, it will be determined under what conditions the school’s field could be located on Silkkinitty, east of the school. The options to be examined involve the field’s scale, and surface materials as well as the equipment it will contain.

The purpose of both the Itäranta and Otsolahti conservation plans is to conserve the unique characteristics and cityscape of the residential areas and to lay the foundation for the renovation and management of the area. Both areas are part of the original Tapiola Garden City.

The Itäranta area is located south of Tapiolantie on the shore of Otsolahti bay. The plan proposal was available for public review in May–June 2023, at which time a residents’ event was also organised. Residents felt that the protection of buildings, including the proposed protection of stairwells, would help maintain the area’s value and pleasantness. On the basis of the remarks and statements given, the plan proposal has been revised after it was available for public review. The plan is now to progress to approval by the City Board likely in the spring of 2026.

The change to the local detailed plan will see the old local plan from the 1960s, which is still valid in Itäranta, be reformed to comply with current practices. The aim is to secure the conservation of the valuable building stock and environment by means of conservation symbols and regulations. The boundaries and planned content of block, street, and park areas will be amended, as necessary. In addition, it is proposed that the parking area at Harjuviita 5 be changed to a residential construction area.

The Otsolahti residential area is located south of Tapiolantie on the shore of Otsolahti bay. It is estimated that the proposal for the local detailed plan will be available for public review in 2026, if the City Planning Committee approves it

The local plan for the 1950s and 1960s, which is currently in force, will be reformed to comply with current practices. The aim is to secure the conservation of the valuable building stock and environment by means of conservation symbols and regulations. The boundaries and planned content of block, street, and park areas will be amended, as necessary.

A survey has been opened on the Aarnivalkea conservation plan and the City Planning Department is collecting information with this survey from the area’s residents and from people who use Silkkiniitty to support the preparation of the Aarnivalkea plan. The survey is open from 2 February to 31 March 2026. In the survey, you can share your views on residential buildings in the area, Aarnivalkea school, park and meadow areas and parking as well as general ideas related to the area’s planning. Responding to the survey is not an official opinion on a plan change. You can respond to the survey here (external link, opens in a new window)(only in Finnish).

The plan’s participation and assessment scheme and preparation materials will be available for public review 2 March–31 March 2026. The City Planning Department will organise a planning walk on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 17:30. After the participation and assessment plan has been made available for public review, the preparation of the plan proposal will begin. The plan proposal is expected to be discussed by the City Planning Committee in early 2027. The City Planning Committee will decide when the plan proposal will be made available for public review. The City Planning Department will inform the residents of putting the plan up for public review by means of a plan announcement, on the plan’s own website and in a letter sent to close neighbours.

The Tapiola area’s neighbourhood-specific residents' event, which has become an established tradition will be held on 16 April 2026. In addition to the Aarnivalkea conservation plan, other topical plans for the area will be presented at the event.

Read more about the conservation plan for Aarnivalkea on its own page Conservation plan for the Aarnivalkea area.

Read more about the conservation plan for Itäranta on its own page Conservation plan for the Itäranta residential area.

You can read more about the conservation plan for Otsolahti on the page Conservation plan for the Otsolahti area.