The City of Helsinki has drawn up planning principles for the eastern part of the South Harbour to guide the development of the area in the coming years. The goal is to strengthen the maritime feel of the city centre, carry out urban infill in the area and create an operationally diverse waterfront area and a new boulevard in Katajanokka, which will serve as a natural extension of the pedestrian city centre.
The planning principles also propose that the sea pool located on Katajanokanlaituri be developed into a permanent part of the maritime functions of the South Harbour. To this end, property development company Nordic Urban Oy is applying for a development reservation from the City for the planning of a sea pool and around-the-year event venue building with a total floor area of approximately 5,500 square metres. The aim is to organise an architectural competition for the design of the new sea pool building, which will be larger than the current sea pool.
The planning principles also present potential locations for urban infill. The South Harbour is part of the iconic national landscape of maritime Helsinki, which is being developed based on its status as a cultural environment and recognising its unique values. As such, any urban infill will be adapted to fit the surroundings in such a way that the views visible from different parts of the area, the identifiable cityscape of the planning area and the maritime silhouette of Helsinki are preserved.
Planning principles updated based on feedback
The planning principles for the eastern part of the South Harbour and the development reservation for Allas Sea Pool were presented to city residents at an online event held on 13 April 2023. In addition to the online event, opinions were collected via a Kerrokantasi survey between 29 March and 19 April 2023.
The feedback received concerning the planning principles was mainly positive and focused evenly on all the topics presented. As regards the sea pool, the feedback included criticism that the current sea pool building and its operations do not fit the historical national landscape. Discussion with residents about the design of the sea pool building will be continued in the context of the architectural competition.
Matruusinpuisto park, which is located in the southeast corner of Katajanokka, also raised some discussion, but is not included in the current planning area.
The planning principles have been updated based on opinions received during the public participation phase, and the opinions will also be taken into account in planning work in the area. The noise impacts of the cultural and event activities of the sea pool project will be further assessed as the planning progresses, and the Waterfront Trail has also been designated to run by the front of the sea pool.
The Urban Environment Committee will be discussing the planning principles and the development reservation for Allas Sea Pool at its meeting on Tuesday 22 August 2023.