At present, the Development Division of the Economic and Planning Centre is responsible for the coordination of the city’s development projects in several areas. The Division manages and directs the cooperation between different authorities, land owners, builders, business enterprises and residents in the target areas.

New areas for business and living

In upcoming decades, Helsinki will expand faster than ever before. Apartments, offices, kindergartens, schools, parks, streets and recreation areas will be constructed. The City of Helsinki aims to build quality neighbourhoods where people can enjoy work and leisure. A new cargo harbour has been built further away from the city centre, which has freed old port and railway yard areas for other uses. The development of these areas will radically alter the appearance of the capital of Finland.

During the next few decades, many new districts will be built – both on the shores of Helsinki and further inland. Many old neighbourhoods will be expanded. The quality requirements for construction are strict. Ecological concerns, increasingly important, are also taken into account when planning new areas and buildings.

The most significant building projects are the areas of Kalasatama, Pasila and Jätkäsaari. These large-scale construction projects will make the urban structure of Helsinki denser. The expanded public transportation system will connect the districts of Helsinki in an eco-efficient way.

Read more about urban development projects from Internet-pages Helsinki New Horizons 

Housing Policy

In its housing policy, Helsinki aims to provide its residents with a healthy, safe and pleasant city with quality housing for people at different stages of their lives and with different standards of living. The City’s housing policy is defined in the Action Plan for Housing and Land Use. The Action Plan covers a period of ten years, but the goals and actions are revised every four years, in a rhythm of municipal elections.

High-quality Housing in Helsinki (.pdf)

Further information:

Markus Härkäpää, tel. +358 9 310 36144
Kyösti Oasmaa, tel. +358 9 310 25957
Economic and Planning Centre
P.O.Box 20, FI-00099 City of Helsinki

Urban Development Division

Development Director, Mr. Markus Härkäpää
Mailing address: P.O.B. 20, 00099 CITY OF HELSINKI
Calling address: Aleksanterinkatu 22-24, 00170 Helsinki, Map
firstname.lastname@hel.fi
Telephone numbers