The lush, maritime East Helsinki is home to approximately 120,000 residents. It has everything except an urban centre. The new plans are set to change this.
This is how the new centre of Eastern Helsinki is taking shape
The most comprehensive concentration of services in Eastern Helsinki is located in Itäkeskus and Puotinharju area. The area offers a wide range of commercial services, cultural attractions and restaurants, recreational opportunities and essential everyday services. It also has excellent transport connections in several directions.
In the future, this area, together with nearby Puotila, will be developed towards a more urban, city-centre-like environment. Conditions for walking and cycling will be improved, and the barrier effect of major roads will be reduced. Services will be further developed, and new homes will be built.
The transformation begins with City-led projects
The City of Helsinki is making significant investments in the area. Stoa Cultural Centre will be renewed, the swimming hall will undergo a major renovation, and public urban spaces will be comprehensively improved. Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd will carry out a comprehensive renovation of Itäkeskus metro station around the turn of the decade.
The network of schools and daycare centres in the area has already been renewed, with further improvements under way or planned. Construction of the new Vartiokylä school and daycare centre building is under way. The renovation of Itäkeskus Comprehensive School will begin in 2027, and construction of the themed Rusetti playground will also begin in the same year.
High architectural standards have been set for the renewal of the Itäkeskus area. Architectural competitions currently under way will provide guidelines for the renewal of both Stoa and the Itäkeskus public transport terminal.
The housing stock will grow and become more diverse as planned residential developments around Stoa and Puhos, around Puotila metro station and in the seaside Puotilanranta area get under way.
Green and maritime Eastern Helsinki is home to around 120,000 residents. The area has a high proportion of families with children and is home to more children than any other major district of Helsinki. This is also being taken into account in new residential development, with a particular emphasis on building homes suitable for families.
Plans
Local detailed plans determine the land use of an area, e.g. where apartments, offices, parks, streets and other roads will be built.
Traffic connections
The Vartiokylä area has excellent public transport connections by metro and tram line 15.
Services
Itis, one of the largest shopping centres in Finland; it has shops, services, restaurants, cafes and a cinema. From the Itis side, it is possible to walk along Hansasilta’s covered pedestrian and shopping bridge to the Easton shopping centre on the other side of Itäväylä. The oldest part of the Puhos shopping centre will be renovated and surrounded by new residential and commercial space.
In the immediate vicinity of Itäkeskus, there is also the Stoa cultural centre, the Iiris service and activity centre for the visually impaired, a family centre, a library, a swimming hall and a tennis centre.
Contact information
Name
Ritva Tanner
Title
Project Director
Phone number
+358 9 310 25560(Link starts a phone call)
Description
Vartiokylä urban development
Name
Assi Rautanen
Title
Project Engineer
Phone number
+358 9 310 31545(Link starts a phone call)
Description
Vartiokylä urban development