There are currently national urban parks in ten cities in Finland. They are created to preserve the historical characteristics, cultural or natural beauty and values of areas. Urban parks can also be used to promote tourism and recognition.
The planning of a national urban park is a process for building residents’ shared vision of what kind of story we wish to tell about Helsinki to current and future residents and visitors. A national urban park is one way, in addition to planning and other decision-making, to determine what is wanted for the valuable places that should be preserved and developed for future generations, as Helsinki is built and regenerated. The planning also takes into consideration other land use needs and their coordination.
Only the city itself can apply to establish a national urban park in Helsinki – in practice, the decision is made by the City Council. The Ministry of the Environment decides on the establishment of a national urban park on the basis of uniform criteria.
A preliminary study for a national urban park was carried out in Helsinki between 2017 and 2020. The work included an extensive interactive pilot scheme. It sought answers to the following questions:
- What would a national urban part mean for Helsinki?
- What kind of story do we want to tell about Helsinki for posterity?
- What would be the benefits, disadvantages and impacts of a national urban park for Helsinki, its residents, businesses and other stakeholders?
- What areas and themes would be included in a national urban park?
- How would an urban park affect land-use planning?
- What would be the scope of the park as a basis for planning considerations?
- What kind of further studies will be needed?
The preliminary study examines the impact of four different approaches that emerged during the consultation process. In addition to the preliminary examination areas of the options (options VE1, VE2 and VE3), option VE Current+ was also developed during the process. This option would improve the quality of the green environment equally across the city. Under the option VE Current+, the application phase for the national urban park would not proceed, but the special values of a Helsinki urban park would be safeguarded by the city itself, without a decision by the Ministry of the Environment.
- Preliminary study (PDF, In Finnish)
- Interactive pilot scheme (Appended report 1, PDF, In Finnish)
- Urban economic impact assessment (Appended report 2, PDF, In Finnish)
The options being examined can be found on pages 17–24 of the preliminary study.
The Ministry of the Environment decides on the establishment of a national urban park, and only the city itself can apply to the ministry. The study for the establishment of a national urban park was launched in Helsinki in spring 2017 by a unanimous decision of the City Council.
The Urban Environment Committee made a decision on 26 May 2020. The Urban Environment Committee approved a preliminary study and a guidance for further planning.
On 21 June 2021, the City Board decided to refer the matter back for further preparation.
The City Board also decided that the city would start preparing the establishment of a national urban park on the basis of the most obvious areas, the core of Keskuspuisto and Haltiala.
The idea behind the Helsinki national urban park is to highlight the importance of naturally regenerating urban forests in particular, but also of historically shaped traditional environments and maritime areas in terms of biodiversity, recreation and cultural values. If necessary, the addition of a national urban park will be considered in the future in the context of other land-use planning, nature mapping and recreational planning.
The preparatory work for the start-up phase of the national urban park must not take resources away from green space development in other parts of the city. The common aim of the national urban park and the other preparations for the 'Current+' option is to create a networked entity that extends across the whole city, including suburban environments.
At the same time, the City Board states that the importance, status and image of an urban park in Helsinki will be strengthened. A dedicated planning team will be set up for the Helsinki urban park and a project manager were appointed from 2021. Further planning for the Helsinki urban part will cover the whole city, including suburban areas. Investment in a national urban park should not be to the detriment of the management of other urban parks and forests.
- This work includes updating nature data, updating the nature conservation programme, designating Vartiosaari for recreational use through a partial master plan and the Helsinki Cultural Environment Programme, which will be completed in 2023. Link to the decision of the Urban Environment Committee (PDF)
- Link to the City Board decision (PDF)
- A national urban park includes natural areas important to the conservation of urban biodiversity
- A national urban park contains cultural sites and buildings that are significant in terms of national history for the city's own stages of development
- A national urban park includes parks and green spaces of architectural or aesthetic interest.
- A national urban park must be part of the urban fabric, i.e. start from the core city centre or immediately adjacent to it
- A national urban park must be sufficiently large and undisturbed as a park- and green environment
- A national urban park must have a green and blue structure that is so uniform that it is possible to move from one part of the city to another through it.
It is also important that the area provides ecological corridors for species to move and interact, and that it is continuous, i.e. directly linked to the natural areas outside the city or the surrounding countryside without a clear boundary.
A national urban park is managed and developed in a way that nurtures and strengthens its natural and cultural heritage values. To achieve these objectives, the city must draw up a management and utilisation plan for the area, which is approved by the Ministry of the Environment. City residents and national urban park owner organisations should be given the opportunity to participate in drawing up the plan. It is recommended that a draft management and utilisation plan be appended to the city's application.