A new city district is being planned in Koivusaari by the West Metro line, combining a maritime environment, archipelago landscape and a direct connection to Länsiväylä. In Koivusaari, everything will be within walking distance.
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Koivusaari as an area
Koivusaari has been planned as a district with about 5,000 inhabitants and 4,000 jobs. Space for constrution will be made by reclaiming land from the sea.
All housing in Koivusaari will be within 600 metres of the Metro station. In just a few minutes, the Metro can transport people to the Helsinki city centre, the district of Tapiola in the neighbouring city of Espoo, the university campus of Otaniemi, and the Keilaniemi business hub, for example.
Koivusaari has two marinas that are suitable for yacht club use.
Koivusaari offers an excellent metropolitan housing option for those who appreciate good service accessibiity, efficient public transport, and the opportunity to lead a versatile city life due to the close proximity of downtown Helsinki.
A detailed plan was prepared for Koivusaari that was approved by the Helsinki City Council in 2021 and became legally binding in 2023. The Koivusaari plan is based on a proposal from the architecture firm of Sopanen-Svärd Oy, which won a public design competition for the area.
The Koivusaari detailed plan’s block structure is comprised of low-rise residential blocks that have 4-7 storeys. The blocks will follow the sloping and curving landscape of the island in such a way that the demarcation between the built and unbuilt areas is clear. The inner areas will be made up of protected courtyards and streetscapes that feel intimate in terms of their scale and sense of space.
The furniture retailer IKEA has reserved a plot of land for a department store, office, commercial and hotel facilities.
In the summer of 2024, the Vaasa Administrative Court revoked the water and environmental permits for Koivusaari and returned them for re-processing. The City of Helsinki continues its preparation of the planning, development and construction of Koivusaari.
Koivusaari will become an urban residential area with space for outdoor recreation and leisure.
At the southern tip, Leppäsaarenpuisto park will be built, with space for hanging out, playing fields, a playground and a natural seafront meadow. From the southern tip of the island, you will be able to admire views of the outer archipelago.
To the north, Kotisatamanpuisto park is planned on the eastern shore, and Koivusaari cove and beach park are planned around a small body of water. The Koivusaari coastal trails take you directly to the centre of Helsinki or Espoo.
Plans
Local detailed plans determine the land use of an area, where we build housing, offices, parks, streets and other roads, for example.
Traffic connections
Koivusaari will be built so that each housing unit and office will be within 600 metres of the Metro station. Walking and cycling will be made as easy and pleasant as possible. A new multi-level intersection will connect the area with the Länsiväylä motorway and a new street named Vaskilahdentie will connect Koivusaari to the larger neighbouring district of Lauttasaari.
One of the city’s main cycle routes, known as Länsibaana, runs on the north side of the Länsiväylä motorway. Separate bike lanes will be created on collector roads such as Vaskilahdenkatu and part of Koivusaaren puistokatu.
Services
In addition to homes and workplaces, the urban island will be developed with daycare and school facilities, recreational areas and marinas. The marinas currently operating on Koivusaari will continue to do so. A floating swimming pool is also planned for the southern shore of Koivusaari.
Contact information
Name
Leena Pasonen
Title
Project Director
Phone number
+358 9 310 36104(Link starts a phone call)
Description
Coordination of construction and planning
Name
Mikko Reinikainen
Title
Team Leader, Architect
Phone number
+358 9 310 37206(Link starts a phone call)
Description
Urban Environment Division,
Planning
Name
Miika Vuoristo
Title
Architect
Phone number
+358 9 310 37192(Link starts a phone call)
Description
Urban Environment Division,
Planning