The renovation is intended to include work to replace the existing mixed sewers with separate wastewater and stormwater sewers. At the same time, the city will renovate and develop area’s streets and their traffic arrangements. The goal is to carry out all the necessary street work at once.
In June, we surveyed the opinions of the area’s residents and businesses on what other repair and improvement needs there are on the streets intended for renovation. Needs were investigated with a map survey, in which structural, traffic and cityscape change needs could be marked. A total of 374 map entries were made. Responses were mainly given by users of the area, such as residents, people that work in the area, and tourists. Their share of the responses was 96.5%. Representatives of the businesses or properties of the area accounted for 3.5% of the responses. Their comments did not differ significantly from the views of the users.
Hopes for smoother flow of traffic for all modes of transport
Most of the change requests were directed at Eteläesplanadi, the Market Square, Eteläranta, Erottajankatu and Päävartiontori. On the Esplanades, hopes focused on improvements to the traffic arrangements, such as more vehicle traffic on the streets, or conversion into pedestrian streets. Much of the feedback suggested that vehicle traffic could, as a whole, be moved from Pohjoisesplanadi to Eteläesplanadi. Opinions varied on parking spaces; some wanted more of them, while others wanted less. In addition, hopes were expressed regarding both the northern and southern Esplanadi streets to repave them in order to make passage on the roadways as well as pedestrian and cycling paths smoother. The combined pedestrian and bicycle path on Eteläesplanadi was seen as particularly difficult and to be in need of improvement.
There were diverging hopes for parking at the Market Square: to both increase and decrease parking spaces. The improvement of the visual appearance of the Market Square also came up repeatedly. There were hopes for clearer cycling and walking routes in the area, along with a reduction in traffic volumes. The bicycle path on Eteläranta and Päävartiontori was criticised for being confusing and narrow, as pedestrians often walk the bicycle path. On Erottajankatu, on the other hand, there were proposals to reduce traffic lanes and give more space for good pedestrian and bicycle paths.
The results of the survey and expert assessments will be used in the development of the area’s streets. The actual street planning and related interaction processes are planned to begin in 2026.
