Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2019 | Page 14

“When you’re adding 8,000 people
every year, it’s no easy job securing sus-
tainable growth,” Vapaavuori points out,
adding that there are many social, ecologi-
cal and economic aspects to consider here.
Maintaining a careful balance via solid plan-
ning is vital in fighting inequality:
“Polarization is a problem that often
hits cities the hardest. Helsinki, however,
has been a text book example in avoiding
14 Nordicum
the traps of polarization,” he says, noting
that there’s isn’t a “bad neighborhood” any-
where in the capital.
Winning Culture
Helsinki is young, too. The average age
for a Helsinki resident is only 28 years old.
How does it feel to be the Mayor of all those
Millennials?
“It feels great! I only wish I was that
young,” Vapaavuori, age 53, grins.
Vapaavuori, a former minister and
a long-time politician, has been the Mayor
now for a year – and seems to enjoy every
hectic minute. His forte is wrestling with
practical questions where the results mate-
rialize quickly – and admits to being ­
impatient when processes drag on indefi-
nitely.