Suburban regeneration is the City of Helsinki's operating model for the long-term development of selected suburban regeneration areas until 2035 in Malmi, Malminkartano and Kannelmäki, Mellunkylä and Meri-Rastila.
Suburban regeneration means that
- We develop the areas in collaboration with residents and local operators.
- We improve parks and recreational areas.
- We make urban spaces more pleasant and safer.
- We renovate service facilities such as schools, daycare centres, community centres and libraries.
- We promote housing diversity.
- We invest in local services and their development.
- We organise various events and activities in collaboration with locals.
The dimensions of suburban regeneration
We develop and renew the suburban regeneration areas as diverse neighbourhoods, aiming for comprehensive development rather than isolated measures. Suburban regeneration is based on six dimensions of urban development, which complement each other and act as guidelines for change.
The areas have good and accessible basic public services. The attractiveness of the areas is contributed to by important locally accessible services. Sports, recreation and leisure services are also within easy reach.
The areas offer a wide range of affordable housing options and forms. Urban infill and renovation create new opportunities for the areas.
The identity of the areas is shaped by local strengths and distinctive features. Neighbourhoods are vibrant and community-oriented. Well-functioning neighbourhoods encourage the active and self-directed use of urban space.
Smooth connections, ease of movement and safety allow residents to live flexibly and move from place to place, both between areas and within their own neighbourhoods.
Local activity and entrepreneurship and the placement of new services in the districts are facilitated. Meeting places, community spaces and local cultural centres create a sense of togetherness in the areas and contribute to an uplifting neighbourhood atmosphere.
Investments are made to improve the quality and pleasantness of parks, streets and squares. Perceived safety is addressed at many levels, from anticipation and planning to tackling specific local challenges.
Why these particular areas?
All of the suburban regeneration areas have potential for area development:
- In the coming years, there will be significant investment in these areas: service facilities and recreational areas will be renovated and new ones built, and station areas will be redeveloped.
- The areas have good potential for urban infill and diversification of the housing stock.
- The areas are socio-economically distant from the city average and need support to prevent segregation, especially as regards children and young people.
- The areas are challenged by reputation and preconceptions, but at the same time they have strong local identities and vibrant local networks that enable the development of new forms of cooperation and approaches.
The areas provide opportunities to pilot and establish new operating methods that can be scaled up to other areas and used more widely in urban development.