Abundant nature and beautiful archipelago landscapes are always close by in Meri-Rastila. Meri-Rastila’s great transport connections and developing local services make it Helsinki’s welcoming hidden gem by the sea.
The Meri-Rastila area
Meri-Rastila is a unique part of Vuosaari in eastern Helsinki. The area is easily accessible by metro. Much of the area was built in the 1990s. The strengths of Meri-Rastila include, in particular, the diversity of recreational opportunities both in the nearby forests and on the coastal trails. Commercial services are concentrated around Meri-Rastila’s centre and its street-level shops.
In the coming years, new homes for approximately 4,200 new residents will be built in Meri-Rastila near the metro station. At the same time, the area’s parks, squares, transport connections and services will be improved. The improvements will start with a major renovation of Haruspuisto park and the construction of a new multi-purpose building that will bring together the city’s services.
Housing will be built on new plots on the edges of woodland and parkland, as well as through intensifying the use of existing plots. Some buildings will have to be demolished to make way for infill construction. The aim of this demolition is to diversify the types of housing in the area. The city will provide information on demolitions as the projects progress.
The area around Meri-Rastila’s market square and the connection to the metro station will be renewed. The existing business centre will be demolished, and a new business centre and residential buildings will be built on the edge of the square.
Construction is estimated to last well into the 2030s. Site-specific construction schedules will be affected by road construction schedules and the market situation in the construction sector.
There will be investments in local natural and recreational areas through street and park renovations. The first to be renewed will be Haruspuisto park.
The park’s facilities will be developed, paying attention to the needs of users of different ages, especially children and young people. The design of these facilities will take into account the area’s character as a diverse and multicultural residential area. The design solutions will seek to increase the comfort and sense of safety in the area.
Access to parks and the seashore from Rastila metro station and the market square will be improved. The outdoor trails in Haruspuisto, Iso Kallahdenpuisto and Pohjavedenpuisto parks form a continuous recreational area.
Construction will start on the Jaluspolku multipurpose building, which will house a primary school, daycare centre, youth centre, playground and resident facilities. Construction of the multipurpose building, which will bring together the services in the area, is estimated to start in 2027 and be completed in 2029. A daycare centre will be built on Harbonkatu and is expected to be completed by 2026.
The new business centre in Meri-Rastila is designed to be a hybrid block for commercial services and apartments. In addition to a grocery store, there are also plans for a cafe, restaurant and other commercial spaces.
Meri-Rastila will implement the Percent for Art principle. Public artworks will be placed in Haruspuisto park, Meri-Rastila's market square and other hubs in the area.
The aim is to bring art and events to Meri-Rastila to brighten up the urban environment, including with temporary installations. Greenery and summer furniture will be placed in Meri-Rastila’s market square to make the urban space more pleasant.
The city supports Helsinki-based arts and cultural associations that organise events and participatory cultural activities in the area. Residents will be informed about the events both locally and through Helsinki’s own communication channels.
Plans
Local detailed plans determine the land use of an area, where we build housing, offices, parks, streets and other roads, for example.
