“The last few years have changed life in the city centre, as remote work and online shopping have become more commonplace. In the future, the Helsinki city centre will increasingly serve as a meeting place for people to spend quality leisure time together enjoying events. attractions and services,” said Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen.
In the coming years, the City of Helsinki will renovate many city centre streets and buildings, repair event facilities and other important infrastructure, invest in housing, and improve conditions for entrepreneurialism, in addition to its ongoing work to create an urban environment that invites people to gather, interact and enjoy the city centre. The joint measures that the representatives of the business community will join the city in implementing include projects associated with the cultural, event and experience industries, as well as plans to collectively enable the smoothest possible execution of future infrastructure and transport projects.
“The transition will not succeed without close cooperation between the city and businesses, along with the necessary renovation and repair work to our urban structures. The city centre cannot be revived with wishful thinking; we need concrete action,” said the Helsinki City Manager Jukka-Pekka Ujula.
Reports from wide-ranging collaboration reveal five strategic focus areas
The results of two recent reports ”Elinkeinoelämän ja kaupungin yhteinen tahtotila ydinkeskustan kehittämiseksi (Joint commitment of the city and the business sector for development of the city centre)” and ”Ydinkeskustan elinvoimateot (City centre vitality measures)”, which brought together the viewpoints of a wide range of different actors, have been condensed into five strategic focus areas: a valued hub for workplaces and businesses, a flourishing residential living area, encounters and experiences, trouble-free access and movement, and new methods for collective development.
In the interests of making downtown Helsinki a hub for workplaces. business and residential housing, the City of Helsinki’s goal is to attract 10,000 new inhabitants and the same number of new jobs to the city centre. Projects that further this goal include the renovation of the Elielaukio square adjacent the Central Railway Station, development of the Autotalo office building in the district of Kamppi, new uses for the old Guard Manège riding hall near the Kasarmitori square, development of the Hietalahti beach area, and the construction of new housing along the Hakaniemi district shoreline.
A dynamic urban culture is everyone’s shared goal
Examples of stepped-up efforts to provide opportunities for encounters and experiences are the series of outdoor dining experiments that have been conducted by Helsinki City Premises Ltd. Yet again this summer, a Summer Terrace featuring food and drink from the restaurants operating in Tori Quarters will be set up on the periphery of the centrally located Senate Square. The Hietalahti Market Square will also offer al fresco summer treats from the various eating establishments located in the nearby Hietalahti Market Hall.
A new café will also start operations near the iconic Havis Amanda fountain by the main Market Square.
Another new development from Helsinki City Premises is the introduction of a new outdoor dining space in Lönnrot’s Park, near Helsinki's Old Church. The central street of Eteläesplanadi will also be transformed into a large terrace area on a few occasions this summer, when traffic will be diverted, and the nearby restaurants will set up tables outside. This will take place on just 2–4 evenings during the season, coinciding with other large events in the city.
Yet another place to enjoy dinner or drinks outdoor will be the Super Terrace planned for Kasarmitori. This picturesque open square in the Ullanlinna district will serve visitors from 12 June to 14 August. In addition to great food and drink, the Kasarmitori Super Terrace will also feature diverse entertainment such as live music performances and sing-alongs. On Sundays, the square will have activities for families with small children.
The City of Helsinki is committed to helping with the creation of appealing events in the city centre, and the aim is to expand the experiences on offer beyond the summer season to the spring and autumn. One example of what is in store is a literary festival organised by the publisher WSOY that will revolve around suspense thrillers. The festival will take place in the Helsinki city centre during the last week of February 2026. Several famous authors in the genre from Finland and abroad have already promised to participate. During the festival week, the city centre will host several literary-themed events, with the main event scheduled for 27–28 February at Alexander Theatre. The City of Helsinki is also planning several other diverting events and encounters during the festival week.
Representatives of both the business community and the city recognise the significant role events play in the development of the city centre’s appeal.
“Now it’s time to move from making plans to taking action. The city and businesses must start jointly implementing development measures to increase the vitality of the city centre. By organising various events and activities every month of the year, the city centre can become be more dynamic and appealing year-round. Access to and navigation in the city centre should also be made as easy as possible for all forms of transport” said Tiina Oksala, CEO of Helsingin Yrittäjät, a regional association of small and medium-sized business owners.
Major transport investments and deeper cooperation in the pipeline
In the next few years, the City of Helsinki will be starting up major investment projects that will improve transport and infrastructure. Rail transport projects include a light rail route to the West Harbour and another to the western districts of Helsinki. The city centre will also be significantly affected by the impending renewal of the city’s water supply infrastructure in the area surrounding Esplanade Park and the rebuild of two bridges, Junatie and Kuulosaari. serving the underground Metro transport services.
“These are essential infrastructure investments that will ensure that the city continues to function smoothly well into the future. The impact of this work will nevertheless be considerable. The city aims to come up the best possible solutions to reduce the inconveniences caused by the renovation and construction work,” said the Executive Director of the city’s Urban Environment Division Ville Lehmuskoski.
When it comes to new methods of co-development between the city and businesses, a discussion is currently underway on a revamp of current collaborative forums.
“It is great that we have a shared commitment to strengthen the Helsinki city centre’s vitality and appeal. Close collaboration between the city and the business community creates a sustainable foundation for development that combines attractive work and urban environments, diverse services, and a dynamic city culture. Development of the Helsinki city centre is not just a local issue – its vitality reflects the prosperity of the entire country and serves as an important calling card for all of Finland,” said real estate investment firm Sponda’s CEO Christian Hohenthal.
