Approximately one fifth of the respondents of the Helsinki Barometer survey feel that Helsinki city centre has developed in a good direction in recent years. A significantly higher proportion of respondents hold the opposite view. The Helsinki Barometer is responded to every six months by 1,000 Helsinki residents over the age of 18. The data is weighed to correspond to the actual age and gender distribution of the population.
People living in the city centre and young people have a more positive view of the city centre
Half of Helsinki residents say that they currently find the city centre to be pleasant. The city centre is generally assessed as being more pleasant by residents who live there. The less frequently a person visits the city centre, the more likely they are to consider it as developing in a negative direction.
Young respondents, in particular, find the recreational opportunities offered by the city centre to be appealing. This view was shared by almost all of the youngest respondents and also the majority of older respondents. Young people view the city centre more positively in general than older residents.
Development of walking and cycling conditions supported
The majority of city residents are in favour of efforts to make the city centre more friendly for pedestrians. The development of cycling conditions is also widely supported, even among those who do not cycle themselves.
However, the opinions of Helsinki residents are divided on traffic issues and especially restrictions on driving. Approximately 40% of respondents oppose restrictions on driving in the city centre, and an equal proportion support them. The main dividing factor is whether the respondent’s household has access to a car. Respondents who drive a lot also have more reservations about improving the conditions for walking and cycling than others.
The differences of Helsinki residents’ opinions on traffic issues are also reflected in the free-form responses to surveys, which, on the one hand, call for making driving easier, but, on the other hand, ask for expanding the pedestrian city centre. Many respondents are concerned about parking becoming more expensive in the city centre. On the other hand, respondents have also given feedback about expensive public transport fees.
Residents want shops to remain in the city centre
In addition to traffic arrangements, city residents have provided plenty of comments about construction and services in and the general pleasantness of the city centre. Most of the respondents commenting on the matter seem to agree that an effort should be made to have shops remain in the city centre.
The Helsinki Barometer survey, which is conducted every six months, examines the opinions of city residents on topical issues related to their living environment. Residents' views on the city centre have been surveyed as part of the barometer since spring 2023. The respondents of the barometer consist of 1,000 Helsinki residents over the age of 18. The data is weighed to correspond to the actual age and gender distribution of the population. The information presented here is based not only on the barometer, but also the Urban Environment Division’s communication survey and other surveys commissioned by the City of Helsinki that cover the same theme.
