The growth of the city and the increased density and development of the city structure were promoted by completing large infrastructure projects. These large projects included Jokeri Light Rail, the tram line running from Kalasatama to Pasila and the Kaisantunneli tunnel passing under the Helsinki Central Railway Station railway yard. The Crown Bridges Light Rail project also took steps forward.
– During the strategy period, Helsinki has grown and the City has been developed. We have had faith in the future looking bright for the residents of Helsinki, when it is based on sustainable growth, Mayor Juhana Vartiainen says.
Supporting businesses and reducing climate emissions
During the strategy period, Helsinki supported the establishment of new companies; accelerated the growth of innovation-driven start-ups; promoted immigration based on work, study and entrepreneurship; and boosted tourism.
Helsinki managed to reduce direct climate emissions and established new nature reserves.
– One of the successes of the strategy is determined climate work in Helsinki. The direct climate emissions of the City have reduced significantly during the period since the Hanasaari power plant stopped burning coal. The City has also taken steps to adjust to and prepare for climate change, Mayor Vartiainen says.
Helsinki has been determined in implementing suburban regeneration in all of its suburban regeneration areas, i.e. Malmi, Malminkartano-Kannelmäki, Mellunkylä and Meri-Rastila. The City has increased investment in suburban regeneration areas. Focus has also been put on comfort by starting placemaking pilots around stations and bringing more events, such as Malmi Summer of Events, the ‘Maltsu elää’ project, the Merirasti Cultural Centre and the Helsinki Day event on Kontula square, to suburban regeneration areas during the strategy period. Area network efforts were used to focus on services for children and young people by arranging safety meetings together with schools and strengthening the inclusion of families. Several playgrounds have been built in suburban regeneration areas (e.g. playgrounds Mellunmäki, Trumpetti and Traktori), exercise parks have been renovated and more resources have been allocated to the maintenance of areas around stations.
In order to improve the availability of City employees, Helsinki has executed its own discretionary measures, such as continuing its own salary development programme and renewing its employee benefits. The City employees’ willingness to recommend the City as an employer has increased.
Strategy implementation not only smooth sailing
There have also been some challenges associated with achieving the objectives set out in the ‘A Place for Growth’ City Strategy as well as the impact of the objectives themselves.
Gaps in wellbeing and health between population groups and regions have increased, and the sense of safety has diminished for some residents of Helsinki.
– The socio-economic segregation of residential districts in Helsinki has continued despite City efforts during the council period of office. The City has made significant efforts to halt the segregation development this period, and the City has also made changes to its basic operations in order to prevent segregation. Measures to prevent segregation are executed in the long term, and these efforts do not offer quick fixes, Mayor Vartiainen states.
Housing construction has taken steps forward during the council period of office, but the change in the economic operating environment of the second half of the period has made the situation more difficult. Securing affordable housing is still a challenge. Enhancing the vitality of the city centre requires tangible measures that take different perspectives into account.
Reaching the economic targets of the strategy period is still feasible, but due to large investments, in particular, the City is going into increasing debt while the tax base has been reduced as a result of the health, social and rescue services reform. Despite the positive development of the emission reduction targets for the strategy period, emissions from transport, in particular, are not declining in line with the target.
An evaluation report on the City of Helsinki’s ‘A Place for Growth’ City Strategy has been prepared. The report reviews the successes and challenges of the 2021–2025 strategy period and provides recommendations for the next strategy period. The implementation of the ‘A Place for Growth’ City Strategy was also discussed in a City Council seminar on 6–7 February. The municipal elections will be held on 13 April, and a new City Council will start work on 1 June. The City Strategy is reviewed at least once every council period.
