A new school centre and opportunities for recreation to Karaniitty
The Kera and Kilo area needs more day-care centre and school places, as the number of residents will increase in the future. The plan for the Karaniitty school centre would make it possible to build a new primary school in the area. The plan amendment ensures that the park-like southern part of the planning area will stay in recreational use.
Espoo is growing, and the number of families with children will increase in the future. Preparations are made for the increase in the population of Kera and Kilo by planning more school and day-care places to the area. An entirely new residential area will be built to Kera and its residents will need services in the future.
The planning area is located in Kilo, between Kuninkainen and Karamalmi along the Karaniityntie road. Currently, Karamalmens skola primary school, its residential building, a Swedish-speaking day-care centre and a park area are located in the area affected by the plan amendment. The plots along the Karamalmintie road were previously planned for office buildings, which have not been built, however.
Cooperation in designing the school
In the plan amendment, the block of Karamalmens skola primary school and day-care centre will be expanded so that a new primary school can be built there.
The Swedish-speaking school and day-care centre will remain in operation. The building of Karamalmens skola will be protected by the local detailed plan. Investigations for a new building for the Karamalmens daghem daycare centre on the northern side of the block are under way.
The new school will be next door to Karamalmens skola, which means that the schoolyard needs to be redesigned. During the planning process, the City Planning Department will have discussions with the school staff and pupils about how the changes can be implemented in the best possible way and how the activities of Karamalmens skola and the day-care centre will be secured in the plan.
When the plan is drawn up, special attention will be paid to ensuring safe routes to school. Parking and pick-up and drop-off traffic in the block area will be made functional and safe.
When work on the local detailed plan progresses, a decision will be made on whether the residential building in the plan area will be maintained or demolished.
There will gradually be a need for a new school when the construction of Kera’s new residential area progresses. The school project is included in the investment programme approved by the City Council and it is likely that the actual project will not be implemented until the 2030s. The planning ensures that investment decisions will be made in a timely manner in the future.
New outdoor trails and a neighbourhood sports park
The unbuilt area located in the southern part of the plan area, previously reserved for workplaces, will be included in the plan as a park. This way, the park-like area will stay part of the recreation network. The living conditions for flying squirrels will be secured in the park.
The planning is based on the recreational vision for the Greater Leppävaara area. High-quality outdoor trails and a neighbourhood sports park are planned for the use of the residents and schools in the area.
Take part in planning this spring
The City Planning Department already meets residents and collaborates with the school and the day-care centre at the initial stage of planning to ensure that the plan will be as functional as possible.
The planners would like to have information on issues such as residential traffic and the use of the recreational routes in the area. They also want to hear residents’ wishes about whether something new would be needed in the area.
The plan’s participation and assessment scheme and the preparation material will be available for public review between 11 May and 9 June 2026. The material and the instructions for providing an opinion are available on the plan's website.
A residents’ event will be organised for everyone interested in the plan on 19 May 2026 at Karamalmens skola primary school. In addition, opportunities for participation are organised for the staff of the school and the day-care centre and the pupils of the school.
Planning progresses towards a plan proposal
After the participation and assessment plan has been available for public review, the preparation of the plan proposal will begin. The planners will use the information they have received from residents and from collaboration with the school in the proposal.
It is estimated that the plan proposal will be discussed by the City Planning Committee during 2027. The City Planning Committee will decide when the plan proposal will be made available for public review. It will then be possible to participate and give feedback on the plans again.
More information
Information on the progress of the master plan process is provided on the plan's website and in the City of Espoo planning announcements. People living in the immediate vicinity will also be informed by letter.
If you would like to be notified of the progress of the plan in your email, you can subscribe to our regular Have Your Say Now Newsletter.