"Finland's capital must have a vibrant and attractive city centre. Helsinki city centre is already bustling and vibrant, but we are committed to making it even more attractive. An association that strengthens cooperation between businesses and the City is an important step in this work," says Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki.
The radically renewing Helsinki city centre association will continue the work of Helsinki City Markkinointi, which has been operating since 1995, with strengthened resources and a much more multidisciplinary membership base, in which the City of Helsinki will also play a strong role.
"The anchor businesses of the city centre have taken an open-minded step towards a vibrant city centre and committed to the activities of the association for an initial four-year period. We are expecting to see results already during the first year of operation," says Chief Advocacy Officer Markku Lahtinen from the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce.
Helsinki is learning from Stockholm and moving from campaigns to a permanent, professional and business-led approach to city centre development. Bringing businesses and the City together inspires people to work together, creates events and attracts people to the city centre, shares information and helps build positive activity that we can take pride in.
"This is the next step in the long-term work carried out by Helsinki City Markkinointi: we will now be taking the development of the city centre to a new, operational level. The aim is to achieve a clear increase in the number of visitors, visibility, investments, events and attractiveness of the city centre. We will recruit an operational team of around four professionals, set common targets and indicators, and combine the expertise of the City and businesses to achieve tangible actions. This allows us to provide more reasons to come and stay in the city centre and create new jobs, experiences and services," says Ville Laurila, chair of the association and Ilmarinen's Letting Manager.
City to enable smooth cooperation
In addition to the new association, the City of Helsinki will strengthen its activities in the development of the city centre. The City has appointed a strategic cooperation group for the development of the city centre, is co-financing the association and recruiting a project manager for the new city centre vitality project.
"The new association will be an important link between trade and industry and the City. I believe that the new structures and forms of cooperation will ensure the new rise of the city centre," says Director of Economic Development Marja-Leena Rinkineva from the City of Helsinki.
The Helsinki City Strategy states that "A vibrant city centre is a key factor in Helsinki’s appeal and the calling card of Finland's capital. We want to develop the city centre into the true heart of Helsinki, a pleasant and inviting place that people want to visit. The vitality of the city centre is created by its people, businesses and experiences – it is where things are happening."
The founding members of the association are: Aimo Park Finland Oy, EuroPark Finland Oy, Eckerö Line Ab Oy, Exilion Management Oy, Helsingin Osuuskakauppa Elanto, Helsingin Satama Oy, Keva, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Kesko Corporation, Lidl Finland Ky, NoHo Partners Oyj, Sokotel Oy, Sponda Oy, Stockmann Corporation Abp, Finnish Cooperative Society (SOK), Tallink Silja Oy, Viking Line Abp. The City of Helsinki joins the association as a member and one of its financiers. The Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce has coordinated the start-up phase of the association.
