Espoo will develop the Oittaa outdoor recreation area – participate in the discussion
Espoo is launching the development of the Oittaa outdoor recreation area. In the future, the area will offer even more diverse tourism, outdoor exercise and recreational services all year round. The development will also create new opportunities for companies to operate in the area.
Individuals interested in the development of Oittaa can participate in the planning of the area. Whether you are an outdoor or a sports enthusiast in Oittaa, a resident living nearby or an entrepreneur interested in the area, you are welcome participate in the discussion between 8 June and 31 July 2026.
“Oittaa is a popular recreational area and a gateway to Nuuksio. The development of the area will make it even more interesting both for Espoo residents and for visitors and tourists from further away, but also for companies. When the planning of the area and the starting points for it have been specified, we will start looking for actors who are interested in the area. For example, we will be looking for someone to develop the Oittaa Manor as part of the services in the area,” says Project Manager Mikko Kivinen.
Strengths and development needs
In 2023, Espoo carried out a survey and prepared an idea plan identifying the strengths and development needs of the area. In the survey, the area was praised particularly for its location, closeness to nature, terrain, routes and ski tracks.
The suggestions for development concerned matters such as diversification of the services, outdoor activities and routes. Better use could be made of the manor estate than currently, and particularly the area of the former camping site should be developed. Feedback was also received on the structures and signposts in the area and on maintenance, such as cleanliness.
Some of the respondents found the area easily accessible, but better transport connections and development of the parking arrangements were also suggested.
In the My Espoo on the Map survey (2020, 2024) covering the whole city, the area received a large number of positive markings. For many, the area is one of Espoo’s natural gems and an important place for recreation and leisure activities in their daily life.
The aim is harmony between services, recreation and natural and cultural values
Local detailed planning has now been launched in Oittaa. During this planning process, the city will explore how to best develop and reconcile the existing and new activities in the area. When the local detailed plan is completed, it will guide the more detailed planning and development of the area.
The cultural history value of the area as well as the landscape and nature values are important aspects in the planning. Oittaa Manor and possibly also other buildings will be protected.
“A balance between different perspectives is important in the development of the area. To maintain the nature values also in the future, recreational use and services will be directed to suitable areas and routes. On the other hand, improved services in Oittaa and better awareness of the area will ease congestion in the hiking area of Nuuksio and reduce the deterioration of nature there,” planners Sonja Sahlsten and Anselmi Moisander explain.
“Espoo is known as a city where nature is close and the city offers good opportunities for physical activity and recreation. The development of Oittaa will further strengthen this image,” says Mikko Kivinen.
Participate in the discussion on the development of Oittaa
The planning of the local detailed plan is in its very early stages. Now is a good time to bring up your suggestions and views on the development of Oittaa. The city invites the users of the area, the residents of the region, the companies interested in operating in the area and other friends of Oittaa to participate in the discussion.
The discussion will take place on the Voxit platform between 8 June and 31 July 2026. You can add views and ideas of your own until 30 June 2026 and vote on other participants’ statements until 31 July 2026. The discussion is moderated to prevent the same or a similar statement from being repeated several times.
“Both the statements and likes are important information for us,” the planners say. “The likes tell us how important the discussion participants consider different perspectives to be. We therefore hope that many people will remember to have look at the discussion again or even several times during the summer.”
The planners will be available to meet visitors to the area in a pop-up event at the Oittaa Restaurant and outdoor recreation centre (Kunnarlantie 33–39) on Tuesday 16 June 2026 from 14.30 to 17.30.
The city will organise a residents’ event and other interaction when the participation and assessment scheme of the plan and the preparation material are made available for public review in spring 2027 at the latest. The interaction will also continue at the proposal stage of the plan.
If you want to follow the progress of the local detailed plan for Oittaa, or if you are interested in the development of Espoo in a wider sense, subscribe to the Have your Say Now Newsletter. It publishes information about topical issues in planning and in urban environment projects and about opportunities for participation. The newsletter is released every two weeks.
Further information:
- Website of the local detailed plan for Oittaa: instructions for participating in the Voxit discussion.
- Subscribe to the Have Your Say Now Newsletter.
- What is the My Espoo on the Map survey? Read more on the survey website.