How did you start your day today? Did you hurry through the gates of a day-care centre or school? Or perhaps you caught a Föli bus or hopped on your bike, passing familiar surroundings, buildings, parks and construction sites, just as you do almost every day.
When everyday life runs smoothly, we hardly give it a second thought. Yet many aspects of daily life in Turku could be different. Even better than they are today.
– A great deal is changing around us, and we all need to adapt. But there are just as many things in our city that we can actively influence, says Timo Aro, Director of Strategy for the City of Turku.
The City of Turku's strategy, Turku's Growth Story Towards the 2040s, sets out the desired direction for that change. Its aim is to ensure that life in tomorrow's Turku feels better in every way.
What we focus on grows
Turku is now home to more than 210,000 people. The city's population has been growing faster in recent years than at any point in decades, and forecasts suggest that this rapid growth will continue in the years ahead.
Turku wants to grow, but it also wants to manage that growth. In practice, this means making choices about where to build, where to invest and how to ensure that services keep pace with a growing population.
– We're constantly building new things in Turku and developing innovative initiatives that support the city's vitality. At the same time, we continue to maintain and improve the essential everyday services people rely on – and we won't compromise on them, says Piia Elo, Mayor of Turku.
– Well-functioning day-care centres, schools, leisure facilities and libraries are essential to wellbeing and balanced growth, especially for children and young people.
Services must also take into account the city's increasingly multilingual and ageing population.
Sustainable, high-quality urban living
A good urban life depends not only on well-functioning services but also on pleasant residential areas and living environments and convenient ways of getting around.
Turku aims to strike the right balance between urban density, greenery and living space.
– Through carefully considered housing and land-use policies, we can guide development in the direction we want. We also encourage residents to play an active role in developing their own neighbourhoods and communities, and we support them in doing so, says Timo Aro.
The city's climate goals are steering mobility towards lower-emission and healthier choices. Walking, cycling and public transport are being actively promoted, alongside electric and autonomous transport solutions.
– Once completed, the tramway will undoubtedly encourage more people in Turku to choose sustainable ways of travelling. That's exactly what has happened in other cities, says Timo Aro.
The future tramway is a tangible example of how the City can significantly shape the future and the everyday lives of each and every one of us through its decisions.
Find out more about Turku's Growth Story (in Finnish)
TEXT: PÄIVI AUTERE | ILLUSTRATION: JADE JÄRVINEN
The article has been published in Finnish in Turkuposti 2, 2026.
