Photo: City of Vantaa / Sakari Manninen ture. Home of the original Garden City, Tapiola, Espoo has a great track record of promoting low carbon living. The latest initiative in this regard is Kera, which aims to be a climate-friendly, bustling neighbourhood that will attract also new business activity, thanks to its high-level connectivity.
There is already a rail connection, with Kera station sitting in the very centre of the 230-hectare area which was previously in industrial use. Under the new plans, Kera will be transformed into a diverse new neighbourhood for living and working, providing housing for at least 14,000 residents along with some 10,000 jobs.
Showcasing the Future
Pekka Vikkula, Project Director at the City of Espoo’ s Technical and Environment Services, believes that Kera offers absolutely first rate potential.
“ It will be possible to create a brand new” Kera Valley” residential area complete with local services. Thanks to the excellent public transport links, we will be able to pursue high-density urban development, particularly in the immediate vicinity of the station, where we will really focus on catering for pedestrians and cyclists,” Vikkula lays out the battle plan.
Ville Ahvikko, Urban Planner for the City of Espoo, calls Kera a“ truly unique opportunity” for development within the Greater Helsinki area.
“ We have the chance to design truly inspiring and sustainable residential solutions fit for a new era. At Kera, we can create a co-ordinated and holistic new neighbourhood,” Ahvikko says.
Vantaa Takes Off
Vantaa is no different in its determination to build new, sustainable communities – that, by the way, are also located by the rails. The recently launched Ring Rail Line – which connects downtown Helsinki to Vantaa airport – has kicked off several developments around the railway stations.
While introducing five new stations – Vehkala, Kivistö, Aviapolis, Airport and Leinelä – the Ring Rail offers Vantaa plenty of opportunities to solidify the urban structure. Ring Rail is giving 200,000 potential residents and 200,000 potential commuters convenient access top-notch public transport.
With Vantaa’ s population growing at record speed, the City has need for new districts for new residents. The City of Vantaa also has plenty of international flavour, thanks to Aviapolis, the Airport City, located in in the immediate vicinity of the airport along the Ring Rail Line and Ring Road III. As it stands, Aviapolis is the strongest growing business area and employment centre in the metropolitan area, hosting 1,000 companies which employ as many as 35,000 people.
Eye on Tomorrow
The City of Vantaa wants to capitalise on the international angle, drawing up an ambitious master plan for the future development of Aviapolis. According to Hannu Penttilä,
Deputy Mayor, this“ Airport City of tomorrow” will be a human-scale community where walkability is a big element.
“ Our dream is that the Airport City will be ecologically and culturally sustainable – and a true travel destination in its own right.” According to the plans, by 2025 the entire Aviapolis area will house up to 23,000 people.
“ What we want to do here is to build the best airport city in the world,” says Penttilä, who believes that Vantaa can deliver the“ total package” that can eclipse international rivals such as Schipol and Zürich.
“ All the required services are available, the distances are short and logistics are world-class. What’ s more, we can offer the most convenient access to Asia in all of Europe.”
Driving Diversity
There’ s life outside the airport, too: Vehkala, for instance, which is situated along the Ring Rail Line and Ring Road III, is planned to become a hub of as many as 10,000 jobs. The City – which owns 100 hectares in the area – is grooming Vehkala especially for the needs of the SME sector. The area is most suited for planning, service and production businesses – and it has already made a name for itself as a fashion centre.
“ Vehkala is a good example of our drive to build something great. We expect to see 20,000 housing units and jobs in Vantaa during the next ten years,” says Penttilä. l
Sami J. Anteroinen Nordicum
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