Landscape architect Sofia Kangas finds her work meaningful and her work community pleasant. According to staff surveys, so do most other City of Helsinki employees – like these green area planners and the HR Director.
Together with her colleagues, landscape architect Sofia Kangas creates new, comfortable and functional environments in Helsinki, but also cherishes the existing ones. For example, Kangas is leading the development of the Jollas manor area and the planning of the Laajasalo waterfront route.
“It is rewarding to contribute to the way the city looks and feels. The changes we make will remain in the cityscape for a long time. Helsinki is a fascinatingly diverse and surprising city. I want to be involved in making Helsinki a city that will continue to have plenty of new things to explore and treasures to discover," says Kangas, who works in the Urban Environment Division.
It is important for her to be able to contribute to the sustainability of the urban environment through her own work. When designing new sites, she also considers environmental aspects and the suitability of solutions from the perspective of other species in addition to humans. Biodiversity can be increased in older urban environments through elements such as plantings, green walls and vines.
It is rewarding to contribute to the way the city looks and feels.
Kangas has influenced the city beyond her own area of responsibility in south-east Helsinki. Among other things, she has been closely involved in the sustainable development of Helsinki's archipelago and coastal areas – which was one of the reasons she was selected Young Landscape Architect of the Year. Kangas was praised for the way she uses new methods such as systems thinking in her work. She also explores systems thinking in her PhD thesis, which she is currently writing.
Kangas describes her working community as very comfortable. Things can be discussed openly, colleagues support each other and the team engages in some shared humour from time to time. She also likes the modern office space in Kalasatama. There is even a club room where Kangas sometimes goes after work to rehearse the pieces she plays as a violinist with the Helsinki Metropolitan Orchestra and the Kirkkonummen kamariorkesteri chamber music orchestra.
Landscape architect Sofia Kangas is happy to be able to contribute to how her home town looks and works.
Like Sofia Kangas, green area planners Anna-Maija Niittynen and Kirsti Oksanen are also working their dream jobs, designing flowerbeds for public spaces in Helsinki. Their workplace, Helsinki City Construction Services Stara, plants 85,000 summer flowers every year.
“Flowers bring colour and joy to every corner of the city. Well-chosen flowers add to the city's green diversity all summer long. We think this is very meaningful. Residents also appreciate the seasonal plantings, judging by the excellent feedback we receive. We are touched and grateful for it,” Niittynen and Oksanen say.
We love flowers. And let's hope that the residents of Helsinki enjoy them as well.
Their work involves sourcing small plants and seeds for growing seedlings for seasonal plants in the City Garden – as has been done for well over a hundred years.
Oksanen herself has also worked for the City for many years; she will be retiring at the turn of the year after a career spanning more than three decades.
“Work at the City Garden has been varied and independent. I have challenged myself many times during my career. Helsinki has been a reliable employer. Balancing work and family life has also been made flexible,” says Oksanen.
Oksanen is currently transferring her know-how to Niittynen. She, too, values her job in many ways.
“Helsinki offers an interesting operating environment and inspiring work. I also consider the City to be a reliable employer.”
Flowers and working with flowers are close to both the green area planners’ hearts.
“We love flowers. And let's hope that the residents of Helsinki enjoy them as well," the duo say with a smile.
Green area planners Kirsti Oksanen (left) and Anna-Maija Niittynen create summer flower plantings that inject joy and colour around the city.
Petri Lumijärvi, HR Director at the City of Helsinki, says he came to work for the City for the same reason as many others – meaningful work.
“It feels great to promote employee wellbeing, which has an impact on services and the City at large. Staff surveys show that the main reasons for working for the City are the important tasks and the good team spirit. More than 80% of employees would recommend the City as an employer to a friend,” Lumijärvi says.
According to the latest Fiilari staff survey, more than 90% of employees consider their work meaningful. Work communities have a culture of helping others and succeeding together. Almost 90% of workers feel this way. Just as many feel that their supervisor gives them enough freedom and responsibility. Over 80% of staff are enthusiastic about their work.
According to HR Director Lumijärvi, employees also value Helsinki as a provider of diverse and varied jobs.
“Helsinki's economy is in good shape and employment relationships are stable, which is by no means a given these days. As the largest employer in Finland, Helsinki can offer exceptionally varied jobs and career development opportunities.”
For many, working for the City is also a value choice – a desire to work for the common good.
“We are working for a good life for the residents and the future of Helsinki," says Lumijärvi.
