Lauttasaari is a seaside district in western Helsinki with a population of around 25,000 people. In recent decades, Lauttasaari has grown into a diverse residential area that combines urban city life, island nature and fast transport connections thanks to the metro and Länsiväylä. Lauttasaari continues to be developed through infill development and improved services – in particular, the Vattuniemi area is undergoing renewal and new public spaces are being planned.
Housing and the environment
Lauttasaari is a desirable residential area with both older and newer residential buildings. The City is mainly building new housing by means of infill development, utilising the existing urban structure. The renewal of the centre of Vattuniemi will bring over 3,000 new residents to Lauttasaari. However, densifying the urban environment will not require any reduction in green areas, so the island's parks and waterfront areas will remain available for recreational use by residents.
Lauttasaari has a rich island nature, including wooded rocky areas and delicate coastal areas. The island's coastal meadows in Särkiniemi, Vattuniemi and Takaniemi are protected habitats that are susceptible to wear. To protect the natural assets of the meadows, information boards have been installed to inform users about conservation and guide them to follow the marked trails.
Recreational areas in Lauttasaari also include several parks, rocky shores and beaches, which offer residents recreational opportunities close to nature right in their own neighbourhood.
Construction
The local detailed plan for the centre of Vattuniemi, located in the southern part of Lauttasaari, came into force in April 2025. The plan enables significant redevelopment in the area: Vattuniemi will receive a new central square, pleasant public areas, homes for approximately 3,100 new residents and business premises accommodating up to 2,400 jobs.
The first demolition work for the renewal project began in Vattuniemi in the autumn of 2025. The construction of new residential buildings is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, and the street works in the area will start in 2027. With the renewal of Vattuniemi, Lauttasaari will gain new housing and services around the maritime centre.
Since as early as the detailed planning phase, the centre of Vattuniemi has served as a pilot area for the circular economy. New and innovative solutions have been sought in collaboration with property owners for the reuse of building components from old properties that are to be completely or partially demolished. Circular solutions will also be incorporated into the development of the area.
The circular economy will help reduce climate emissions from construction and, in some cases, preserve the industrial heritage of the area's buildings, among other things. Reusing building components and soil within the area also reduces the amount of traffic to and from the site, thereby reducing the disturbance caused to residents by the construction work.
The City is planning to build a new multi-purpose building at Pajalahdentie 10 A in Lauttasaari. The building will house a daycare centre, library and youth centre under one roof, improving services in the area. The design of the multi-purpose building is expected to begin in 2027, and the building is expected to be completed by 2032.
The needs assessment for the multi-purpose building will proceed in 2026, when the Education Committee is scheduled to decide on the implementation of the project. Detailed planning for the multi-purpose building is expected to begin in 2027.
Plans and detailed plans
Detailed plans determine the land use in an area, such as where we build housing, offices and parks, or where streets and other routes are located.
Transport connections
Lauttasaari has excellent transport connections. Thanks to the metro, the journey to the centre of Helsinki takes only a few minutes, and the Lauttasaari and Koivusaari stations along the metro line serve both residents and commuters. The bus lines complement the metro and provide connections to Espoo and other parts of Helsinki, among other areas.
The City is constantly improving the island's cycling and pedestrian routes, and the Vattuniemi renewal project will make the street and park network even safer and more efficient. The routes across the Lauttasaari bridge also connect the island closely to the street network of the inner city.
