The Kallio summer streets project has been running for two summers. The main streets have been Porthaninkatu, Fleminginkatu and Vaasankatu. The summer streets have transformed the street space and made it more available for walking and spending time. The aim of the summer streets has been to examine how street space could be used in a more versatile way, and what kinds of solutions would be suitable for the streets in Kallio and Harju.
The response to the summer streets has been largely positive. The City has monitored the way people move and spend time on the streets, the functionality of traffic arrangements, and the effects on the companies in the region for two summers. The monitoring has provided information on solutions that enhance the pleasantness of the street spaces and encourage their active use.
From summer streets to permanent improvements
The summer streets are not intended to be a temporary solution to be built and taken down every year. The summer streets allow the City to try out new solutions before deciding on making them permanent. The City’s long-term goal is to use solutions which have been proven to be successful to build permanent street environments of high quality.
The continuation of the Kallio summer streets in summer 2027 is used as an intermediate phase, because the planning and implementation of permanent solutions takes time. The summer streets enable the continued use of solutions that have been proven to work while continuing the careful planning of permanent improvements. The continuation of summer streets in Kallio and Harju in summer 2028 is also possible.
The drafting of street plans has been started based on Fleminginkatu, which has been seen as particularly successful. The first plan drafts will be made available for public viewing later in 2026, at which time they are open for feedback. At that time, the residents can state their wishes for changes in the summer streets in Kallio and Harju. Further information on the public viewing and feedback possibility regarding the plans will be made available at a later time.
Permanent changes are already being made around Helsinki
The area in Kallio and Harju has been the second summer street area in Helsinki, after the summer streets in the centre of the city in 2021–2025. The role of the summer streets as part of the City’s way of developing street spaces has strengthened, and the teachings of summer street trials have already led to permanent changes being planned.
The Korkeavuorenkatu summer street in Kaartinkaupunki launched a permanent change in the street environment on Koulupuistikko square. Permanent improvements are also already being carried out in front of Kallio Church. Greenification is also being planned on Hämeentie, utilising the experiences from the summer streets.