Helsinki’s goal is a safe city life for all residents – including during the coronavirus pandemic. ‘Popular recreational areas, such as the shore of Kaivopuisto, have seen more activity than usual during the exceptional conditions and, according to the ample feedback received, people are running out of room. To improve the situation, street arrangements that better take into account the number of pedestrians will be tested on the streets on the shore of Kaivopuisto during the summer,’ says Mayor Jan
Vapaavuori.
Trial to take place on Merisatamanranta and Ehrenströmintie at residents’ request
This summer, more space will be added for pedestrians by transforming Merisatamanranta and Ehrenströmintie into streets of calm traffic. Benches and planting boxes on the street restrain thoroughfare while sending motorists the message of the street’s living street-like nature. There will also be a pedestrian street on Ehrenströmintie from Mattolaituri to Kylpylänaukio. In the area, parking will be possible along the streets and in the Kylpylänaukio parking area. Street furniture will be installed in some of the existing on-street parking spaces. Bicycle traffic will be transferred to the carriageway.
A site on which residents have given a lot of feedback was chosen as the target of the trials. Recreational use of Kaivopuisto and Merisatama has increased during the exceptional conditions. The beginning of the summer and boating season has aggravated congestion and, for example, the queues in front of ice cream kiosks have become a problem. The shore route has provided an alternative recreational route to Töölönlahti and Central Park. The residents have asked for the expansion of the Merisatamanranta and Ehrenströmintie pedestrian area on social media, through the City’s feedback system and with a petition.
‘With the changes, we will make it easier for residents to walk and cycle without hindering public transport, private car traffic or parking. The temporary changes are possible because traffic has decreased significantly during the pandemic. Furthermore, studies say that the summer traffic volumes in the city centre are 50% lower than in other seasons,’ says Executive Director of the Urban Environment Division Mikko Aho.
The trial aims to take the feedback received from residents into account as well as possible, as well as the needs of the companies on the shore of Kaivopuisto. The Helsinki Economic Development Division asked over ten entrepreneurs on the shore of Kaivopuisto for their wishes regarding the measures of the coming summer. The wishes mainly concerned parking spaces, driving lanes, sales spots on Kompassitori and insufficient signs and waste bins. The entrepreneurs proposed several development targets for 2021 – more city bikes, racks and parking; winter storage for boats; event electricity; and food trucks.
Residents are asked to provide feedback on the temporary traffic arrangements
The success of the trial will be actively monitored during the summer. Residents will have the opportunity to express their views on the changes made to the street space. You can give feedback on the summer trial from 22 June until the end of August at kerrokantasi.hel.fi(Link leads to external service). The street sites will also be observed on a regular basis, for example, by monitoring the impact of the arrangements on pedestrian flows. Preparations are also underway for changes to be made during the summer if the situation so requires.
‘Experiential information on the success of the measures and new needs for change is important. If the changes cause any harm to the users of any mode of transport, the situation will be reassessed. The trial may also be improved during the summer,’ says Head of Traffic and Street Planning of the Urban Environment Division Reetta Putkonen.