The main task of the competition was to analyse the vitality and attractiveness of the Helsinki city centre and to make a proposal for how to increase the number of visitors in the city centre and time spent in the city centre. The aim was to come up with inspiring new insights and ideas for the role of the city centre and its strengths and development areas.
The competition area was the heart of Helsinki with a focal point in front of the main railway station. The competition looked at the area within a radius of about one kilometre from the railway station. However, the competition area was not clear-cut. Competitors were allowed to submit proposals that went beyond the area restriction. All participants were required to be bachelor’s or master’s degree students at a university or university of applied sciences on the date the competition work was submitted.
A total of 23 entries were accepted to the competition. They included plenty of good and viable ideas. Design-oriented proposals were in the minority, which may indicate that students are looking to solve the problems in the city centre through means other than construction.
“The competition shows that students have an excellent ability to analyse the city centre in a compact manner and see the possibilities in an open-minded way. I think we received a very high quality and versatile selection of entries. However, according to the jury’s assessment, the three winning proposals stood out from the rest,” says Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki, who served as the chairman of the jury.
The proposals highlighted experiences and events
The best proposals were comprehensive proposals. The solutions highlighted competition themes such as year-round events and experiences, improving the prerequisites of and expanding the walkable city centre as well as better opportunities for spending time and enjoying oneself. Several competitors presented ways to increase physical mobility as part of an active, prosperous urban life. Another topic reflected themes of initiative, interaction and network communications.
According to the entries, the challenge of the city centre appears to be a kind of rigidity and formality of the urban space as well as the residents’ limited ability to transform, modify and act in the urban space. The majority of competitors had chosen a small-scale approach, often based on the autonomy of citizens. The conditions of commercial operators were generally seen to improve as a result of a more comfortable and lively city centre.
Award-winning proposals:
1st prize, EUR 15,000: Dallaillen (“Moving around”)
Contributors: Anne Kantola, Jan Mustonen and Venla Varkila
Dallaillen presents a multi-site development strategy. Particularly praiseworthy is the way the work perceives and takes possession of a large urban spatial entity from the Market Square to Töölönlahti Bay. At the same time, a large number of new, year-round urban events, including completely new ideas, are connected to the places.
The aim of the proposal is to build a wider and more interesting pedestrian centre and to restrict car traffic to serve this purpose. The presented traffic changes are in line with the city’s ongoing planning, although the outcome of the city’s planning work is not yet clear. Highlighting walking tunnels was considered a successful observation.
The proposal distinguishes itself by having the courage to suggest large measures, which was considered commendable. Some of the ideas are not viable as such in the city centre. In particular, the plan ignores the needs of distribution traffic and the fluency of maintenance completely. However, it includes many opportunities for piloting and further development.
2nd prize, EUR 6,000: Joy in Movement
Contributors: Selina Zander, Laura Jaunākā, Nea Vesterinen, Linda Autio and Katarina Jakobsson
The proposal is a very well-built, versatile and balanced competition work. It combines physical development proposals, additional construction and the improvement of existing structures into a multi-site strategy.
The proposal contains a large number of ideas for the four target areas. Some ideas also include novelty value. A new street arrangement is proposed around the railway station, which excludes private cars from the area. The plan for Kaivokatu is largely in line with the city’s scenario reviews.
The proposal includes furnishing and plant concepts in Keskuskatu as well as various events and art in Kaisaniemi Park. It also reflects the theme of independent, low-threshold event organisation in Makasiinipuisto park in accordance with Jan Gehl’s ideas. Modular canopy structures and operational zones are created for the Market Square.
3rd prize, EUR 4,000: Teidän Helsinki (“Your Helsinki”)
Contributors: Veera Annala and Cecilia Aintila
Teidän Helsinki draws inspiration from Vilhelm Helander and Mikael Sundman’s pamphlet Kenen Helsinki (“Whose Helsinki”), published in 1970, even in its appearance. The proposal stands out as clear and fresh work, with a focus on concise argumentation and concrete proposals for action.
In addition to the three award-winning proposals, three proposals received an honorary mention from the jury.
Honourable mentions:
Ihan kujalla – Helsinki haltuun askel kerrallaan! (“Totally clueless – Take control of Helsinki, one step at a time!”)
Contributors: Otto Tarnanen, Ida Maunula and Inkeri Mankkinen
JMKSNKV – Vetovoimaa Kaisaniemen puistoon (“JMKSNKV – A more attractive Kaisaniemi Park”)
Contributors: Johanna Maria Kannas and Sini Nuppu Kristiina Virtanen
wonders – City of Pockets
Contributors: Eeva-Maija Ekman, Roban Colyer, Sara Soimasuo and Varpu Kurkilahti