Applying for a research permit with the Urban Environment Division
The Urban Environment Division process research permits related to the services or materials of the Division. The Division includes four departments: Land Use and City Structure, Buildings and Public Areas, Services and Permits, and Management and Support Services as well as the Climate Unit. The Urban Environment Division also receives and redirects applications that are related to two or more Divisions.
If your research concerns the City’s operations or staff, and there is no openly accessible research material for this purpose, or it requires collection of data (including through interviews), a research permit stating conditions for the work is required.
No research permit is required in the case of outsourced or commissioned studies, for which the conditions for the collection and use of the research material are specified in a cooperation contract. The same applies when the material needed for the research is publicly and openly accessible, and its collection requires no work from City staff.
In research permit matters related to the Urban Environment Division, please contact directly the department/service where you want to conduct your research.
Please apply for the research permit using the following form:
Research permit application form (pdf) (will be updated soon)
Instructions for how to fill it in (pdf) (will be updated soon)
Be sure to include all the data/information/material required with complete appendices and attachments when submitting the application.
Be sure to include all the data/information/material required with complete appendices and attachments when submitting the application.
Submit your application in due time. Research permit applications are processed in the order they arrive, and permits will typically be issued within 4–6 weeks. If your research involves the handling of special categories of personal data (see Data Protection Act 1050/2018, 31 §), processing of the application may take longer. Incomplete applications or missing appendices/attachments will delay the process.
Please keep in mind that in signing the application, research permit applicants undertake to acquaint themselves with 1) the requirements on the processing of personal data set by current legislation, especially the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act, and 2) their own responsibility for the lawful processing/handling of the data.
Submit the research permit application, duly filled in and signed and with complete appendices/attachments, to Helsinki Registry on:
helsinki.kirjaamo@hel.fi (Link opens default mail program)
Protected email can be sent to Helsinki Registry from the address https://securemail.hel.fi/ (Link leads to external service) to the address helsinki.kirjaamo@hel.fi (Link opens default mail program). Use your online banking ID to log into Securemail.
or to
City of Helsinki Registry
Helsinki City Executive Office
PB 10, 00099 City of Helsinki
Visiting address: Kaupungintalo, Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13, 00170 Helsinki
City of Helsinki Register Office
Valid for the time being:
– Mon-Fri 9.00-15.00
– Sat-Sun closed