The renovation began in last August. The paving of the fountain’s pool and the surrounding stone and concrete curb, waterproofing and pool technology have all been replaced. In addition, the curb stones and the paving surrounding the pool have been reinstalled.
The pool has been empty since 2016 due to leakage.
The fountain consists of a steel sculpture and the pool. Designed by artist Seppo Manninen, the steel sculpture Malmi has been located on the Upper Malmi Market Square since 1990. The sculpture is part of the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed by HAM Helsinki Art Museum. The Urban Environment Division is responsible for the technical maintenance of the work, including its water systems.
The renovation of the water pool and the fountain is the first stage in the renovation of the Upper Malmi Market Square. The main goals of the renovation work are to improve the area’s safety and comfort, increase its functionality, strengthen the area’s local identity, increase people’s awareness of the market square, and improve the diversity of urban nature.
The future vision is to create an ’urban oasis of Malmi’ by adding in benches, trees, shrubs and perennials as well as a planting area for an urban garden. In the vicinity of the fountain, there is space for a temporary stage and a pleasant rest area is being planned around the pool. At the moment, a rock-dust area is being planned in the middle of the square. The area will be suitable for playing games like pétanque and mölkky.
Building the market square of the future together with city residents
The Upper Malmi Market Square is a central city square in the diverse and lively Malmi urban centre and it is located along good rail connections. However, the Malmi centre has reached a stage in its life cycle where it is time to redevelop the area.
In recent years, the Upper Malmi Market Square has been part of the City of Helsinki’s placemaking pilot that strives to develop the comfort of urban spaces in cooperation with city residents and other users. In the next few years, the square will also be improved on the basis of the pilot’s results. Temporary elements improving the comfort of the square will already be added in the coming summer, and it will be enlivened with small-scale events.
The renovation of the square is expected to begin in 2024 or 2025.
Malmi is one of the four suburban regeneration pilot areas in addition to Mellunkylä, Malminkartano-Kannelmäki and Meri-Rastila. Suburban regeneration is an operations model that aims to improve the functionality, attractiveness and appeal of old residential areas.