Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2011 | Page 28

Targeting Talent
Creative communities add to the appeal of major cities worldwide
– and Finland is determined to do well in the race
New creative communities are in the works all around
Finland. Cities of various sizes are re-evaluating their
residential strategies and placing an extra emphasis
on the built environments. In the new concepts, parks
and pedestrian areas join forces with urban living lab
solutions, culture and entertainment. Architecture and
design are used as a strategic tool to attract members of
the creative class into these new neighbourhoods, which
feature – more often than not – some kind of water
element.

ture a pioneering low energy
block (Low2No).
Kalasatama is known for
its beautiful maritime milieu as
well. Furthermore, the transformation of a former gasometer in
Suvilahti into a cultural centre
should attract more members of
the creative class into the area.
Construction time is slated for 2009-2030s, and the area is expected to feature 18,000
residents and 10,000 jobs once
it is fully realised.

Reach for the Sky

S

pearheading the creative
revolution is Helsinki which
is determined to seize the opportunity presented by the exit
of the downtown harbour operations. The first waterfront areas to dive into full-blown development are Jätkäsaari and
Kalasatama, both located only

26 Nordicum

minutes away from the centre
of Helsinki.
Jätkäsaari is currently under construction on a southern
peninsula recently vacated by
a cargo port. Jätkäsaari could
house as many as 16,000 residents and offer jobs for 6,000
people. The area will also fea-

The waves of construction are
felt inland as well. Pasila is the
busiest public transportation intersection in the metropolitan area, and also the most accessible
place in Finland. At present, it
is already the centre of Finnish
digital media and will keep on
developing into a world-class
business and media hub.

In the future, the imaginations of young talent are captured by the construction of up
to 40 stories high, mixed-use
skyscrapers which wil