The renovation of Kaivokatu will transform the area into an inviting main entrance to Helsinki

Kaivokatu is to be converted into a public transport street, while improving the walking conditions in the area. The plan is to reserve the area in front of the railway station exclusively for pedestrian use by removing parking spaces and moving cycling lanes to the other side of Kaivokatu. This will make it faster for people to change modes of transport and make the area smoother to move through. Street space will also be freed up for plants, benches and services. The space will no longer be just a place to pass through, but will also provide a calmer area for waiting and meeting others.

Renovation guided by Sustainable Development Goals

The renovation of Kaivokatu is guided by the Urban Environment Division’s six sustainability principles, which support the City of Helsinki's commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To measure progress towards the SDGs, the City has defined indicators that will be monitored during the planning and construction phases of the project. The sustainability principles approach makes it possible to identify and reduce conflicts between the SDGs and to seek solutions that benefit more than one SDG.

“Coordinating the SDGs in such a highly valued environment is no easy task. For example, we want to increase tree canopy cover across the city, but in this area we also need to ensure that the trees to be planted do not obscure culturally and historically valuable views. But, compared to the current situation, we will be able to increase the amount of street greenery several times over,” says Team Manager Anna Tienvieri from the City of Helsinki.

Increasing greenery in the Kaivokatu area contributes to the wellbeing and comfort of the people using the street. At the same time, the increased vegetation will increase biodiversity in the area. The resulting increase in permeable surfaces will also reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rains and support adaptation to climate change.

The SDGs will also be taken into account in the choice of materials to ensure that they are of high quality and durability and therefore economically sensible. The emissions generated by the renovation project will also be reduced by identifying the main sources of emissions and solutions to address them, utilising recycled materials where possible. The future maintenance of Kaivokatu will be planned to be as easy as possible.

Draft street plans now on public display

The local detailed plan for Kaivokatu will be discussed by the Urban Environment Committee on Tuesday 17 March. The implementation planning of Kaivokatu has been advanced in parallel with the local detailed plan. The street plan specifies the solutions proposed in the local detailed plan.

The draft street plans can be viewed online from 18 to 31 March 2026. The plans will also be presented to residents at the City Hall auditorium on Monday 23 March from at 16.30–18.00. The presentation can also be viewed live or watched after the fact as a recording on the Helsinki Channel. After the presentation, residents can visit different stands to explore the plans, talk to experts and give their opinions on the plans.

In addition to the plan maps, the material on public display includes videos and illustrations. Helsinki residents can also comment on the draft street plans for the area via a map survey until 31 March.

The street plan proposal is estimated to become available for viewing in late 2026. The street plan will be submitted to the Urban Environment Committee once the local detailed plan is final.

Construction to begin in 2028

The construction of Kaivokatu is planned to take place in two phases. The construction of the area is linked to the renovation of the Esplanadi streets set to start in the early 2030s, during which motor traffic will pass through Kaivokatu.

In the first phase starting in 2028, the waterproofing and municipal infrastructure of the Kaivokatu deck will be renewed, stormwater drainage in the area will be improved and flood risks reduced, and the necessary modifications and ducts for the metro station's renovation will be implemented. The first phase will also involve simultaneously building tracks for the public transport street and implementing some of the planned new stops, vegetation structures and plantings. In the first construction phase, the aim is to build as much as possible of the final structures. Once the first phase is completed, Kaivokatu will continue to be open for car traffic.

The second phase of the construction of Kaivokatu will begin after the completion of the Esplanadi street renovation. In this phase, car traffic will be directed to the Esplanadi streets. A second stop platform will be built in front of the railway station, and the remaining paving, vegetation structure and planting work will be carried out.