09.11.2021
Turku develops housing areas that are sustainable, pleasant, and support a good life in its suburbs. This vision, which also takes into account the New European Bauhaus initiative of the European Commission, is being carried out together with residents.
Turku wants to be a pioneer in equal urban development and suburb policy. In the city's new mayor's programme, equal development of residential areas has been highlighted as one of the key projects.
Turku has also begun making a local vision for all suburbs, together with urban residents.
Turku on the coast of the Baltic Sea and by the river Aura is Finland's oldest city and the country's former capital. Turku has a dense centre, but two-thirds of Turku residents live in suburban areas mainly in blocks of flats. There are almost 200,000 people in Turku.
The development must take into account the wishes and views of the residents, but also, for example, the materials and megatrends of researchers on where the world and housing are going.
No new, but repairing the old
Timo Hintsanen, Director of Urban Planning in Turku, says that the objectives of the European Commission's New European Bauhaus initiative are being implemented in the development of Turku suburbs. Its three key values are sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.
He recalls that about a hundred years ago the original Bauhaus modernised production, design, thinking, and science. They really wanted to make new things all the time.
“Now in the new Bauhaus, producing new things is not an absolute value, but resource wisdom and the circular economy are the starting points. For example, the old building stock is maintained, modified, and repaired smartly.”
Hintsanen points out that the old blocks of flats in the suburbs of Turku, the majority of which are about fifty years old, are of top quality in housing design. The basic solutions for rooms provide a functional framework for a good life, the rooms are large enough, and every square metre is utilised.
“It is easy to repair slightly broken ones. If larger renovations are needed, it is advisable to utilise at least the housing frames. If we continuously dismantle and build new concrete, it will have a huge carbon footprint”, Hintsanen thinks.
He adds that Turku's ambitious goal is to be carbon neutral by 2029.
Experts and residents together
It is also important to increase the comfort in the suburbs, in line with the aesthetic objectives of the New European Bauhaus.
Many people think that the old 1970s apartment block has rather rough beauty at most. The external appearance of the buildings can be developed, but there are plenty of other things that can be done to make the suburbs comfortable.
“The cheapest way is, of course, to increase the number of trees, shrubs, and plantings; to offer residents, for example, an opportunity for urban farming. It is also important to improve public spaces, squares, routes, and sports facilities.”
Of course, inclusion means that urban residents themselves participate in the development of suburbs, together with experts.
In development work, one practical tool is the resident panel, with which we consider matters. The participants include people of different ages and backgrounds.
“The development must take into account the wishes and views of the residents, but also, for example, the materials and megatrends of researchers on where the world and housing are going. Solutions can be influenced by, for example, the ageing of the population, climate change, and future energy solutions.”
Good suburb policy prevents social segregation
Timo Hintsanen reminds us that good suburb policy can also be used to prevent social segregation.
“The city is responsible for ensuring that all its areas are developing equally. In Turku, for example, the city's rental housing company already ensures that its apartments are not concentrated in an area, but that they are evenly located throughout Turku.”
Public transport is also used to combine different residential areas.
“If the Turku tram plan is implemented, the first line will lead to the largest of our suburbs, Varissuo. Our main bus lines are also designed to serve suburbs as well as possible.”
A good suburb is a common cause for everyone
Project coordinator Sini Mäkeläinen leads Turku's suburban vision work, which sets common goals and measures for developing suburbs. Like Hintsanen, she emphasises the importance of participatory action and participation.
“In development work, one practical tool is the resident panel, with which we consider matters. The participants include people of different ages and backgrounds; and in addition to private residents and active residents, people from organisations and the real estate sector.”
Until autumn 2022, Turku will hold various joint development events. After this, the vision itself, which also records the measures required to implement the objectives, will be finalised and feedback can be given on it.
Mäkeläinen reminds that the suburbs are of course different and have their own special characteristics.
“Different areas focus on different things. The measures must be tailored to each area separately. With the help of a suburb vision, we can perceive the direction in which we are heading and what we are striving for together,” she says.
Text: Matti Välimäki