ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017

A MAGAZINE FOR ESPOO RESIDENTS
1
2017
AN AWARD-WINNING
CHILD WELFARE CONCEPT
FIND OUT WHAT’S
ON THIS SUMMER
THE BEST THING ABOUT
ESPOO IS NATURE
Professor Antti-Matti Siikala believes
Espoo’s city centres will reach a
NEW LEVEL
OF PROSPERITY PAGE
8

MY ESPOO
TIMO PORTHAN
CITY BIKE PILOT UNDERWAY
THE YELLOW CITY BIKES that brightened up the
streets of Helsinki last year popped up in Espoo at
the beginning of May. In this summer’s pilot phase,
the city bikes will be available in the Matinkylä-Olari
area, with a total of 100 bikes and 10 stations in use.
Tulan Vainio took one of the bikes for a test run
near Iso Omena. She feels the city bikes are well
suited for commuting as well as recreational rides,
on the Rantaraitti waterfront bicycle path, for example.
– It’s fine for occasional use and for people who
don’t have a bike of their own, Vainio says. The city
bikes and stations have been rented for the
summer from Helsinki City Transport. According
to Johanna Nyberg, Head of Traffic Management
and ITS at the City of Espoo, the station network
was developed to match the needs of Espoo’s environment
and local residents. The idea is to link
local services together and complement the public
transport connection network along routes such
as the future West Metro. According to Nyberg, if
the pilot proves successful, the city will consider
acquiring a more extensive city bike service of its
own. The aim is to roll out the service in 2018 and
expand the network from Matinkylä all the way to
Keilaniemi.
“A good
bike for
occasional
use.”
HOW DOES THE
SERVICE OPERATE?
› User registration can be
done online or at a bike station
equipped with a payment
terminal.
› Access to the service can be
purchased for a day, a week
or the full season.
› After registration, users can
pick up a bike from a station
by entering their PIN code.
› The bikes can be used for
30 minutes at a time without
any additional fees. The
maximum duration of each
use is five hours.
› The bike can be returned to any
station after use.
More information:
hsl.fi/en/citybikes
Tulan Vainio gave two
thumbs up to the simple
and solidly built city bike.
She expects that the
bikes will be well received.
2

CONTENTS
A MAGAZINE FOR ESPOO RESIDENTS
1
2017
7Sheena Kopsala
helps immigrant
families get
started with
integration.
ESPOO
PROVIDES NATIVE
LANGUAGE
INSTRUCTION
IN 42
LANGUAGES.
8
Espoo is a city of
renewal. In addition to a
boom in commercial and
residential construction,
there are green areas and
pedestrian districts in
the works.
2 MY ESPOO › City bikes are here
4 EDITORIAL › Jukka Mäkelä
5 IN BRIEF › The results of the “My Espoo is” survey
7 AT YOUR SERVICE › Coordinator Sheena Kopsala
8 THEME › Espoo’s renewal along the metro route
12 ACTIVE ESPOO › What’s on this summer
15 INSIGHT › The KYKY Marketplace breeds innovation
16 PEARLS › New Life and Living Centre opens its doors
18 SERVICE › Award-winning child welfare services
20 VI ESBO › Finns sommarteater
22 TAKE A BREAK › Espoo crossword
23 ESPOOLAINEN › FC Honka women’s football team
12
18 20
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 3

EDITORIAL
Espoo on the
path of sustainable
growth
A COMPARATIVE international study has again, for the second
time, ranked Espoo as the most economically, socioculturally
and ecologically sustainable city in Europe. Espoo’s key
strengths are competence, safety and nature.
The sustainability of the growing city of Espoo is improved
by the rail transport-based networked structure of five city
centres. In the “My Espoo is” survey conducted last autumn,
the respondents indicated that the city centres
are versatile hubs of services, jobs and recreation, and
their proximity is highly valued. Espoo residents feel like
they live in the city while also being close to nature. The
survey was completed by 6,150 respondents and the total
number of suggestions and comments received was 21,600.
The results of the survey will be used in updating the Espoo
Story for the City Council’s next term of office.
We seek sustainable city solutions in partnership with businesses,
universities, research institutes and local residents.
Last spring, we concluded an agreement with Fortum Corporation
stipulating that the production of all district heating used
in Espoo must be fully carbon neutral by 2030. Our primary
goal is the well-being of Espoo residents in a smart and safe
city where daily life is convenient and smooth.
ESPOO
RESIDENTS FEEL
LIKE THEY LIVE IN
THE CITY WHILE
ALSO BEING
CLOSE TO
NATURE.
Jukka Mäkelä, Mayor of Espoo
Updates from different
parts of the city and
pages dedicated to
various operators.
”
Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets
movie concert at Metro
Arena in October.
Always up to date.
Information, answers
and discussion.
”
What Espoo residents
appreciate the most in
their city?
#luonto #koti #kaupunki
#meri #turvallisuus
#Espoo
Great moments, events
and landscapes through
the eyes of Espoo
residents.
”
Espoo is still the most
sustainable city in
Europe!
#hyväespoo
#kestäväespoo
MAGAZINE FOR ESPOO RESIDETSI Public bulletin to all households FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS espoolehti@omnipress.fi
PUBLISHER City of Espoo, PO Box 12, 02070 City of Espoo, tel. (09) 81 621, espoo.fi, firstname.lastname@espoo.fi
EDITOR IN CHIEF Satu Tyry-Salo, Communications director EDITORS Omnipress Oy, espoolehti@omnipress.fi
MANAGING EDITOR Kimmo Kallonen LAYOUT Hannu Kavasto/Hank PRINTED BY Punamusta DISTRIBUTION SSM
NOTIFICATIONS jakelupalaute@omnipress.fi COVER Fleur Wilson ISSN 1798-8446 Next issue 19.8.2017
4

CITY OF ESPOO WINS TOP
PRIZE FOR PROVIDING
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
THE STUDENT MEMBERS OF Akava Special Branches have recognised
the City of Espoo’s Event and Cultural Services unit for providing
good internship opportunities for students of universities
of applied sciences. The winners of the “Best place for an internship”
competition were announced in late March. The winners
were chosen based on the participating interns’ own descriptions.
– It’s great that this prize was awarded to our work community
as a whole. When interns come in, they are authorised to
carry out certain basic tasks. They are also assigned a person
whom they can contact to ask questions or request assistance.
We always go through an orientation checklist and revisit it
later if necessary, says Johanna Vepsä, Production Manager
at Event and Cultural Services.
Marianne Marttila, a cultural producer student who did
her internship at the City of Espoo, went on to find work in the
same organisation where she did her internship.
– My dream came true. I got the opportunity to learn and experience
a lot. My internship also drove me to move ahead in
this industry, she explains. The competition between providers
of internship opportunities also included a separate category
for university students, which was won by Ramboll Finland Oy.
COLLECTINGS
DISTRICT HEATING TO BE FREE OF EMISSIONS BY 2030
SUSTAINABLE
FUTURE
STARTS
HERE
THE CITY OF ESPOO and Fortum Corporation
have set a common goal of producing all of the
district heating used in Espoo without creating
carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to
climate change, by 2030.
The production of heating currently represents
nearly half of Espoo’s total climate emissions.
Making district heating free of emissions
is part of Espoo’s broader goal of achieving
complete carbon neutrality by 2050.
The energy cooperation between Fortum
and Espoo has already seen the use of renewable
energy and waste heat grow from zero to
nearly 30 per cent of Espoo’s district heating.
Espoo and Fortum have drafted three possible
scenarios for achieving carbon neutral district
heating. The energy sources used in the
scenarios include geothermal heat, biomass,
waste heat and complementary solutions.
– The most likely outcome is some combination
of the three scenarios. The solution will
take shape by the end of the year, says Niko
Wirgentius, Head of Asset Management at
Fortum.
MORE THAN A MILLION
CUSTOMER VISITS TO THE
SERVICE CENTRE
THE SERVICE CENTRE for public services, which opened
in August 2016 at the Iso Omena shopping centre, reached
the milestone of one million customer visits in April. Some
4,500 customers visit the service centre every day.
The unique service centre concept brings together key
services, such as a library, child health clinic and Kela, on the
same premises in a location that is easy to reach by public
transport. The concept is under continuous development
and will also be expanded to include more digital services.
2014 CURRENT BY THE YEAR 2030
n COAL 72% n COAL 55 % n RENEWABLE 60 %
n GAS 27 % n GAS 17 % n BIOMASS (CURRENT) 15 %
n RENEWABLE 1 % n HEAT RECYCLING 16% n HEAT RECYCLING 25 %
n BIOMASS 12 %
FROM THE ANNALS OF HISTORY
100th anniversary of the first steps of Muurala Hospital
Muurala Hospital
is shown front and
centre. The area
in the background
is now the Espoo
keskus district.
Photo from 1938.
HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAL CARE became a
topic of growing interest in Finland in the late
19th century. Municipal hospitals were established
around the country at an accelerating
rate, but Espoo hung on exceptionally long
without a hospital of its own. The main reason
for this was the proximity of Helsinki. Most patients
could be sent to the hospitals in the capital
city for treatment.
The hospital project finally became essential
during World War I. A large number of out-oftowners
arrived in Espoo to help with the fortification
work, which led to the spread of infectious
diseases. The need for hospital beds grew
rapidly and it was no longer possible to send all
patients to Helsinki.
The final push for the decision to build a
hospital came from the Chairman of the Town
Assembly, Master of Laws Osvald Wasastjerna,
who, together with his wife, donated a
total of FIM 60,000 to the hospital project. Architect
Knut Wasastjerna was given the task
of designing the hospital. Construction work in
Muurala began in 1917, but the project was delayed
by the outbreak of the Finnish Civil War
the following year.
The long-awaited local hospital finally
ESPOON KAUPUNGINMUSEO
opened its doors on 30 April 1920. The hospital
complex consisted of a Department of General
Practice, an Epidemics Department and an outbuilding.
It also included the subsequently demolished
mortuary and doctor’s quarters.
The hospital was very modern upon its completion.
In addition to the two main departments,
its facilities included an operating room
and a shared central heating system. It also
had a staff of more than 20 people. The hospital’s
first doctor was Licentiate of Medicine
Allan Ph. Heikel, who remained in office for an
impressive 33 years. The original buildings are
still in use as part of the Samaria health centre.
Today, the premises include social services and
a staff restaurant.
SOURCES: ESPOO CITY ARCHIVES, LAHTI,
MATTI J. 1975. ESPOO - FROM A RURAL PAR-
ISH TO A MAJOR MARKET TOWN. CITY OF
ESPOO, DIGI.KANSALLISARKISTO.FI
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 5

COLLECTINGS
› The first word that most people associate
with Espoo is nature. The 5,111 responses
are summarised in a word cloud. The larger
the word is shown in the cloud, the more
frequently it was mentioned by the respondents.
The respondents also completed the
sentence “My Espoo is...” a total of 4,791
times, with safety highlighted as the most
significant aspect.
ESPOO’S STRENGTHS ARE
SAFETY AND NATURE
Last autumn, the City of Espoo conducted the My Espoo Is survey to
assess local residents’ views on what Espoo is—and should be—like.
THE ONLINE SURVEY was completed by
6,150 respondents from August to October.
A total of 21,600 suggestions and
comments were received. In addition,
some 850 pre-schoolers participated in
A Day as Mayor workshops along with a
large number of Espoo-based entrepreneurs.
The survey indicated that nature
and the sea are still major factors behind
Espoo’s appeal. Espoo residents want to
see more activities by the sea, such as recreational
opportunities and services that
support spending more time by the sea.
Espoo is perceived to be safe. Safety was
the most significant factor highlighted by
respondents of all ages.
The areas in which local residents want
to see improvement include the living environment,
nature and transport. The de-
A TOTAL OF
21,600
SUGGESTIONS
AND COMMENTS
WERE RECEIVED
IN THE “MY
ESPOO IS”
SURVEY. THE
SURVEY
PERIOD WAS
27 AUGUST–31
OCTOBER 2016.
lays in the metro project and changes in
Espoo’s internal bus traffic are causing
concern. Many respondents wanted more
effective cross-town traffic within Espoo.
Other points raised included the development
of culture and sports, other
public services and employment. Sustainable
development was also among the key
themes, while tourism, the conditions for
entrepreneurial activity and internationality
were not as frequently mentioned.
The respondents also shared their
views regarding the best aspects of their
local city centre and its development. Services
were highlighted as the biggest advantage
of the city centres. The respondents
appreciate the fact that services are
centralised in a single location, which
makes it easy to take care of errands.
Transport connections and the comfort of
living were highlighted as the most important
areas for development for each of the
city centres.
The responses indicate that the proximity
of city centres makes the residents
of Espoo feel like they live in the city, even
though nature is also very close. The city
centres are perceived as versatile hubs of
services, jobs and recreation, and their
proximity is highly valued. This suggests
that Espoo’s strategy of developing several
city centres instead of one large city centre
is a successful one.
A total of 4,800 stories of “the best moments
in Espoo” were received from the
respondents. They were closely linked to
family, nature, outdoor life and the home,
but also feelings of happiness and joy.
Aalto University rates Espoo’s approach to strategic development as excellent
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY will
be used in updating the Espoo Story,
which is the city’s strategy, for the City
Council’s next term of office. The new
Espoo Story will be prepared for approval
by the City Council in autumn
2017.
According to an assessment conducted
by Aalto University, the Espoo
Story is an excellent and internationally
unique approach to the management
of the city’s strategy. According
to Mayor Jukka Mäkelä, the Espoo
Story is clearer than the city’s previous
strategies and it has produced
good results.
– We’ve always found the most success
in the areas in which we have
been able to engage local residents
and cooperation partners. We see the
resident-oriented approach as necessary
for our success, and I am pleased
that we again received a wealth of information
on the residents’ views to
help us update the Espoo Story. It puts
us in a good position to move ahead,
Mäkelä says.
6

AT WORK
AN IMPORTANT
CONTACT FOR
THE WHOLE FAMILY
Sheena Kopsala, Coordinator
at the language and culture
group, is an important
contact person for many
immigrant families.
TEXT Tiina Parikka PHOTO Timo Porthan
’’
The best part of my job is meeting different
kinds of people and learning about their culture.
I interview the families of pupils who
are about to enter preparatory education
and I act as a link between teachers and families. My
current job description also includes updating the
timetables of teachers and pupils and arranging substitutes
for teachers of religious studies.
I speak Finnish and English, and also a bit of
Spanish. And, of course, I speak Filipino, being from
the Philippines originally. If I don’t have a common
language with the interviewee, their native language
teacher or cultural interpreter will assist.
I’m easy to approach because I’m an immigrant myself.
I’m also a positive example of the fact that immigrants
can find meaningful work in Finland. I was first
employed for a nine-month period through the City of
Espoo’s immigrant recruitment services. Then I was
hired as an assistant in the language and culture group
to replace a retiring employee. I was away on maternity
leave for a while and, upon my return, I was given the
role of Planner. In March, I started as a Coordinator.
For many families, a child entering the school
system is their first point of contact with Finnish society.
The families don’t necessarily have any other
contacts besides me, so they also ask me for guidance
in relation to other matters. That makes me feel useful
and I try to collect information on the relevant topics
so that I can provide at least some advice.
42
different
languages for
which native
language
teaching is
provided
4,260
non-Finnishspeaking
pupils
and students
6
religions
taught:
Lutheranism,
the Eastern
Orthodox
Church,
Islam,
Catholicism,
Judaism and
the Hare
Krishna
movement.
3,300
pupils and
students
participate in
native-language
teaching on a
weekly basis. The
largest group is
Russian (700),
followed by
Arabic, English
and Somali
(approx. 300).
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 7

THEME
ESPOO IS IN A
PERIOD OF GROWTH
The city centres along the West Metro route are in the
middle of a development boom. In addition to commercial
premises, there are plans in motion for extensive
residential development near the metro stations.
Text Ari Rytsy Illustration Fleur Wilson
8

KEILANIEMI
Traffic on Kehä I will be moved to a concrete
tunnel in spring 2019. Four residential high-rises
will be built next to Keilaniemi metro station.
The Fortum high-rise, known as Raaden hammas,
will be renovated and converted into a residential
building. A zoning change makes it possible
to build two new residential high-rises on the
same plot of land. There are also plans for
Keilaranta Tower, a 117-metre and 26-storey
office building, in Keilaniemi.
The renewal of the Tapiola
centre took a big leap forward
this spring with the completion
of the second phase of
the Ainoa shopping centre.
The expansion saw the arrival of a
new Stockmann department store and
some 20 new specialty shops. The expansion
increased Ainoa’s total floor
area to 30,000 square metres, which
puts it in the same size category with
the Kamppi shopping centre.
– In the days of the old shopping
centre, there were occasionally maintenance
vehicles and dustcarts driving
around in the pedestrian zone. All that
traffic has now been moved underground.
The space previously dominated
by cars has been given back to
the people, says Professor of Building
Technology Antti-Matti Siikala, the
man responsible for designing Ainoa’s
expansion project.
The new-look Ainoa also impresses
with a rooftop world built on top of the
retail premises. It consists of green outdoor
areas and the Tapiolan Kirjokansi
housing development.
Kirjokansi is a green living concept
that will comprise a total of six residential
buildings. Of these, two blocks
of flats and one low-rise block of flats
will be completed this spring. The residential
buildings included in the next
phase will be completed in early 2020,
roughly coinciding with the third phase
of Ainoa. This will involve demolishing
the current Stockmann department
store and replacing it with the final extension
to the shopping centre, which
is estimated to be completed in autumn
2019.
Special attention was given to maintaining
harmony between the shopping
centre and the existing urban structure
in Ainoa’s second phase of expansion.
The new-look Ainoa opens up in
every direction, creating a coherent
combination with the Tapiola city
centre.
– The rooftop world was inspired by
the traditional roof shapes featured in
housing built in Tapiola in the 1950s
and 1960s.
The wood surfaces reflect the high
quality of residential construction and,
when lit from below, they are very easy
on the eye, says Siikala.
PAST AND PRESENT MEET IN THE PEDES-
TRIAN CENTRE. The Tapiola centre plays
a significant role in Espoo’s public
transport, which is currently undergoing
major development in the form
of the West Metro and the new Tapiola
bus terminal, which is scheduled to be
completed in 2019.
The new bus terminal under construction
on Merituulentie will offer direct
indoor access to the metro and retail
premises.
The renewal of the Tapiola centre
is not limited to the shopping centre
and public transport. According to
Antti Mäkinen, the Project Director in
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 9

THEME
charge of the development of the area,
the majority of the buildings dating
back to the 1970s and 1980s will be demolished
to make way for residential
and commercial buildings that are
three times as efficient.
This is a renewal project that is the
first of its kind in Finland.
– There are really no other viable
options for increasing the efficiency of
land use in Tapiola. The garden city of
Tapiola has a strong cultural and historical
status, and we intend to cherish
it, Mäkinen says.
Residential developments to the
south of Merituulentie will introduce
a more futuristic element that will
be connected to the area around the
Espoo Cultural Centre by a harmonious
and comfortable pedestrian centre.
The renewal of the Tapiola centre
will go on for several years to come,
but most of it is scheduled to be completed
by the early 2020s.
– In light of the planned changes, I
feel confident in saying that the Tapiola
centre faces a wonderful future,
Mäkinen adds.
WEST METRO AND JOKERI LIGHT RAIL
LINE TO EXPEDITE RESIDENTIAL CON-
STRUCTION. Espoo’s rapid rate of renewal
is also evident in other city districts.
For example, zoning plans are in
place for four high-rise residential
buildings next to Keilaniemi station,
with contracts already signed for two
of the plots.
The tunneling of the Kehä I ring road
in Keilaniemi, which is a prerequisite
for these residential developments, is
progressing according to plan.
The development of this area is further
boosted by the Jokeri light rail
line, which will have its terminus next
to the Keilaniemi metro station.
Renewal is also progressing at a
good rate in Otaniemi, where Aalto
University is building new facilities
and centralising its operations. The
area will become a densely built and
lively campus district, with zoning
plans in the works to develop homes
for at least 7,500 new residents. The Otaniemi
of the future will feature solutions
that effectively support pedestrians,
cyclists and public transport
users. These are closely linked to the
West Metro and Jokeri light rail line
projects, which will provide access to
the entire capital region.
Of the traffic-related projects, the
construction of the tunnel that will
MATINKYLÄ IS FULFILLING OLD PROMISES
MATINKYLÄ is the only city centre in
Espoo that doesn’t have an indoor swimming
pool. Zoning plans have now been
drawn up for an indoor swimming pool in
the Tynnyripuisto area, which has been
a construction site for the West Metro
project for several years. The plans are
part of an extensive plan for new construction.
In addition to the indoor swimming
pool, the plans for the area include a
large school, a hotel with approximately
200 rooms, a parking facility and blocks
of flats.
– We already have a council decision
on the city-owned properties, and negotiations
for the other developments are
in their final stages.
The goal is to have the indoor swimming
pool, which is something that was
promised to local residents years ago,
completed by the end of 2021, says Carl
Slätis, Project Director for Matinkylä.
– The homes to be built are likely to
consist mostly of small units with 1–3
rooms and a kitchen.
They will include a variety of housing
alternatives ranging from market-financed
owner-occupied and rental
apartments to state-subsidised ARA
buildings. The plans also include homes
for special target groups.
In addition to new construction,
the area will be more densely built up
through complementary construction.
– Residents will be informed of the plans
well ahead of time. Especially in the complementary
construction stage, engaging
the local residents is an essential part of
the work process, Slätis says.
Following the opening of the restaurant
and cinema world after Easter, Iso Omena
has reached its maximum size. Its service
offering will continue to grow further and
become more diverse.
When metro traffic begins, hopefully
in the autumn, the new shops on the bus
terminal level will open their doors.
Concrete changes will also be seen
before the end of the year in Matinkylä
Sports Center, where the old indoor ice
rink will be demolished in the summer.
The plan is to replace it with a new ice
sport centre that would consist of four
rinks as well as a fitness centre and
group exercise facilities.
– Our aim is to have the new facility
progress from the planning stage to the
implementation stage before the end of
the year, Slätis explains.
URHEILUPUISTO
The Jousenpuisto area next to the metro
station will see dense residential construction. To
the north of the metro station, Tapiola Sports Park
will be developed into an even more versatile area
for recreation and physical activity. The reference
plan includes a football stadium with a spectator
capacity of 6,000, a multi-purpose indoor sports
facility and artificial ice skating rink as well as a
versatile and vibrant central square. There are also
plans for new facilities for sports such as
floorball, football, handball
and basketball.
10

CHIRP!
ESPOO WILL REMAIN
A GARDEN CITY
IN SPITE OF
INCREASINGLY
CONDENSED URBAN
DEVELOPMENT.
NIITTYKUMPU
Construction projects in Niittysillanpuisto
and Niittypuisto will make the district more
attractive and comfortable for residents. In
the future, the area will also feature two new
playgrounds along with Niittypuistonkenttä,
an artificial grass-covered sports field that will
complement Niittypuisto. Residential construction
is accelerating on both sides of Merituulentie.
There are plans to build individual apartment
buildings as well as entire blocks. The major
residential block development projects are
planned for the northern part of the district,
namely the Riihitonttu
neighbourhood.
connect Tapiola and Otaniemi along
Kehä I is due to start in 2020.
The area around the Urheilupuisto
metro station will be livened up by a
condensed urban structure as well as
a parking facility above the metro station
with capacity for 800 cars. The new
parking facility will serve the residents of
the Jousenpuisto residential area, which
will be built to the south of the metro station.
The plans are to expand the urban
structure in a similar manner towards
the southern part of Urheilupuisto.
The West Metro will also expedite construction
activity in Niittykumpu and
Matinkylä, where the plans include new
residential, commercial and office properties
as well as parks and local recreation
areas. The indoor swimming pool
planned for Tynnyripuisto on Matinkylä
is due to open in 2021.
There are also significant renewal projects
underway in the areas around the
stations along the West Metro extension.
The Finnoo station, for example, will
have residential buildings more than 20
storeys high in its vicinity. In addition to
the metro centre, residential construction
in Finnoo is focused on the Djupsundsbäcken
area and Finnoo marina,
as well as the northern Finnoonkartano
area, which will follow later.
Ideas blossom at
Innovation Garden
AALTO UNIVERSITY and the City of Espoo are working together
to develop a major innovation hub in Otaniemi to bring together
academic students and researchers, research and development
organisations and businesses. The evolution of the traditional
Otaniemi campus into an internationally attractive incubator of
ideas and innovation will be expedited by the relocation to the
area of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
and the Aalto University School of Business in 2018 and
2019. According to Vice President Tuija Pulkkinen, the centralisation
of the operations of Aalto University will provide a strong
framework for creating an ecosystem that promotes innovation.
– Aalto has a clear mission of maximising the impact its operations
have on society. In Otaniemi, this mission can be pursued
by providing operating premises for businesses along with opportunities
for collaboration.
The neutral ground provided by the university even makes it
possible to carry out joint projects with competitors, she adds.
The centralisation of operations is expected to boost student
entrepreneurship, which is already seeing strong growth.
A large number of startups and the Slush event have given
Aalto University significant prominence on the European stage.
This creates a solid foundation for building the success stories
of the future.
– The entrepreneurial buzz in Otaniemi will be supported by
the Aalto growth centre, which will be relocated to Otakaari 5
in the autumn. Its goal is to help make the university’s research
infrastructure and expertise accessible to businesses, Pulkkinen
explains.
ESPOO MAGAZINEI 1/2017 >> 11

WHAT’S ON IN MAY–AUGUST
› KNOW YOUR
ROCKS
JOIN the Rock, Pit and Boulder geology
expedition on 16 July, 10:00
a.m.–4:00 p.m. The charter bus departs
from and returns to the Espoontori
car park at Asemakuja 4.
The expedition is free of charge.
Limited to 45 participants, first
come first served. For advance
registration, call 09 816 54400
or send an e-mail to villaelfvik@
espoo.fi by 14 July.
› HIT THE NATURE
TRAIL IN NUUKSIO
JOIN A FREE NATURE WALK in Nuuksio
National Park on 6 August,
from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The
walk starts from the Högbacka car
park (Kattilantie 33). The 7.5-kilometre
route includes a stop at the
Haukkalampi pond and returns
to the point of departure. A lunch
break will be held at the Haukkalampi
campfire site with an opportunity
to swim in the pond. Wear
proper shoes and bring along a
swimsuit and something to eat.
› NEW CITY COUN-
CIL TO START SOON
THE NEW CITY COUNCIL is getting
ready to start its term of office.
See the political decisionmaking
that concerns all residents
of Espoo in action by attending
a city council meeting on 22 May
or 12 June, 5:30–11:00 p.m., in the
Council Hall at Espoonkatu 5. You
can also stream the meetings online.
ESPOO
DAY TO
DAY
Find out what’s
happening in Espoo
this summer.
MORE HAPPENINGS:
espoo.fi › City of Espoo › What’s on › Events of Espoo
PUT YOURSELF
IN THE
GLASSBLOWER’S
SHOES
GUIDED TOUR of the exhibition A
Time for Glass, Kauklahti Glassworks
1923–1952, at KAMU Espoo
City Museum, WeeGee Exhibition
Centre, Ahertajantie 5. A family
museum hour will take place on
Saturdays at noon from 18 June–13
August, except Midsummer.
€12/€10, free admission for visitors
under 18 or over 70 years of age.
Price includes guided tour.
TWO FRIENDS VISIT
A COUNTRY SHAPED
LIKE A BOOT
MAUKKA AND VÄYKKÄ travel to Italy
in the puppet show Maukan ja Väykän
matkakirja. Under the Mediterranean
sun, mela means apple, a cat is gatto
and rotto means broken. Showing in
Theatre Hevosenkenkä on 19 May at 10
a.m., 20 May at 4 p.m., 21 May at 3 p.m.
(sold out), 22 May at 9:30 a.m., 23 May
at 9:30 a.m., 24 May at 9:30 a.m., 27
May at 4 p.m., 28 May at 3 p.m., 30 May
at 10 a.m., 31 May at 10 a.m., 1 June at 10
a.m. and 2 June at 10 a.m. Address: Juhannusmäki
2, Mankkaa. Duration 50
minutes, suitable for ages 3 and over.
Tickets start from €11.50; on weekday
mornings instructors/teachers €3.50.
Tickets available from the theatre office
on weekdays, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., tel. 09 4391
220, www.hevosenkenka.fi, hevosenkenka@hevosenkenka.fi
or www.lippu.fi.
PEKKA ELOMAA
Take Finland 100 into your own hands
› SUNNY COLORS
FRENCH-CHILEAN artist Georges Valenzuela Solari’s memorial
exhibition features many of his last oil paintings. The
landscapes of Valenzuela Solari, who passed away in 2012, are
characterised by joyful colours and the brilliant southern sun.
The exhibition will be held in the Espoo Cultural Centre exhibition
space on 14–21 June. Admission is free of charge.
HOW WOULD YOU celebrate the centenary of
Finland’s independence? The Finland 100 project
invites individuals, public organisations
and businesses to arrange events to mark this
special anniversary. The theme of Finland’s
centenary celebration is Together. Projects
under this theme can range from events to exhibitions,
development projects, decisions and
campaigns. The programme has three focus
areas: Finland’s past, present and future.
— The City of Espoo wants to emphasise
the future and the present
in our celebrations. Traditional
events, such as highlighting important historical
figures, are also part of the centenary
of Finnish independence. However, Finland
100 projects can take many different forms.
In the film category, Espoo used the stories
of women to shed light on Finnish history.
In a light project, the city collaborated with
a house in Suvela where 17 languages were
spoken, explains Project Coordinator Saara
Vanhala. Project proposals can be submitted
well into the autumn by completing the
online form at suomifinland100.fi.
12

Luther opera to kick off the
Organ Night and Aria Festival
THE ORGAN NIGHT AND ARIA Festival
will be expanded to include a full-length
opera this year with the performance
of Kari Tikka’s Luther opera in Tapiola
Church. The opera tells the story of
Martin Luther, the Father of the Reformation,
and one man’s battle between good
and evil. The opera is produced in cooperation
with partners including Omnia
and the Parishes of Espoo. It is connected
to the 500th Anniversary of the
Reformation and the Finland 100 centenary
year.
The opera is directed by Juulia Tapola
and conducted by Erkki Lasonpalo. The
featured performers are Elja Puukko
(baritone) as Luther, Emriikka Salonen
(soprano) as Luther’s wife Katharina von
Bora and Aki Alamikkotervo (tenor) as
Satan. Audience members are invited to
sing along to Luther’s hymns included
in the opera. Kicked off by the Luther
opera, the Organ Night and Aria Festival
will continue until the end of August, focusing
on the themes of the Reformation
and Finnishness. Summer night concerts
held throughout the summer season will
bring artists to Espoo Cathedral ranging
from young talent to international stars.
Organ Night and Aria,
1 June–31 August 2017
> Luther opera, 1 June, 2 June and
8 June at 7:30 p.m. in Tapiola Church
> Concerts, 15 June–31 August on
Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. in Espoo
Cathedral
> Event programme: urkuyofestival.fi
> Tickets: lippu.fi
MIDSUMMER IN SOUKKA
MIDSUMMER STARTS with a
celebration held at Soukka
residents’ park. The festivities
will take place on
Wednesday, 21 June, from
10:15 to 11:15 a.m., at
Soukankaari 10.
> More information:
046 877 1629, soukka.
asukaspuisto@espoo.fi
Bingo! I’m done with my
summer reading!
READING WILL be even more fun for children this summer with
the Book Bingo organised by Helmet Libraries from 5 June
to 31 August. Book Bingo will give reading assignments
and inspire children to read different kinds of
books in different types of company and in exciting
places. The Book Bingo sheet can be printed online
at helmet.fi or picked up from any Helmet library. The
idea is to collect five check marks on the bingo sheet
for five books read. Participants who return their bingo
sheet to a Helmet library with their contact details will
be entered into a lucky draw for book prizes. You can
also upload photos of precious reading moments on Instagram
with the hashtag #bookbingo2017.
— Last year’s Book Bingo was quite popular. Encouraging children
to read is a high priority for libraries, and improved reading
skills also support learning in school, says Marjut Saloniemi,
Communications Coordinator at Espoo City Library.
Laugh till you drop
TV STARS FROM MTV’S PUTOUS SHOW, Roope Salminen and
Ernest ”Erkku” Lawson invite improv fans to Tapiola Hall. This
special event celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Kolina improv
group, which has performed nearly 1,000 gigs in venues
ranging from intimate clubs to Hartwall Arena.
> Kolina improv group: Roope & Erkku Live, Wed 31
May at 6:00 p.m., Espoo Cultural Centre, Tapiola Hall.
Tickets (incl. delivery costs) start from €24/€20 and
are available from Tiketti.
ANIMALS TAKE OVER GLIMS FARMSTEAD MUSEUM
GLIMS FARMSTEAD MUSEUM will have a strong
animal theme this summer. The special exhibition
#animalsinespoo introduces visitors to Espoo’s
rural past and domestic animals as well
as the relationship between people and animals
today and in the past. As usual, the museum’s
4H petting zoo will provide the opportunity to
get close to real live animals. Guided pasture
visits will be arranged twice per week.
— For the best chance of getting a spot on a
pasture visit, you should come on a rainy day,
says Museum Educator Aino Osala.
The museum will offer a diverse programme
of events during the summer, including hug
therapy with a Bernese mountain dog, a demonstration
by the local rescue dog association,
a robotic seal and much more. There will
also be handicraft demonstrations on topics
ranging from cheesemaking to dyeing yarn
with plant dyes and forging iron.
All this will take place at the Glims farmstead
comprised of 11 buildings of different ages. The
museum receives a large number of day-care
and school groups in the early summer.
Summer season opening
hours until 31 August 2017:
> Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–5 p.m.,
Sat–Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
> Ascension Day 25 May closed
> Fri–Sun 23–25 June, Midsummer, closed
> Pasture visits based on queue numbers
7 June–31 August (except on Thu 22 June,
Wed 19 July and Thu 20 July): Wed–Thu
3:30–4:30 p.m.
> Queue numbers will be given out starting
from 3:15 p.m.
COUNTRY JA SOUL
HOEDOWN, the seven-person
powerhouse of Finnish roots
music, celebrates its 15th anniversary
year at Sello Hall.
To mark the special occasion,
Hoedown has invited along
two good soulful friends, Sam
Huber and Tuure Kilpeläinen.
Hoedown 15th Anniversary
Concert feat. Tuure Kilpeläinen
& Sam Huber, Friday 26 May at
7:00 p.m., Sello Hall, Soittoniekanaukio
1 A. Duration 2h, incl.
interval Tickets from e26.50/
e22.50, Lippupiste. Tickets at
the door e27/e23.
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 13

WHAT’S ON IN MAY–AUGUST
TIMO PORTHAN
INSTRUCTION
AVAILABLE
> Container Gym Leppävaara
Next to the Angry Birds Playground
Instructor present on Tuesdays,
16–30 May, 5:00–5:30 p.m. and
6–20 June, 11:00–11:30 a.m.
> Container Gym Tapiola
Urheilupuistotie 2, Tapiola
Instructor present on Tuesdays,
16 May–20 June, 5:00–5:55 p.m.
GET FIT IN THE SUMMER
THE CONTAINER GYM is a freight container
with a small fitness centre built
in and around it. This summer, there
will be two Container Gyms in Espoo:
one in the same location as last year,
in Leppävaara near the Angry Birds
Playground, and a new one in Tapiola
Sports Park. The Container Gyms are
open during the parks’ opening hours,
from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
— Even people who aren’t regular
gym goers can use a Container Gym,
perhaps to do a few exercises as part
of an evening walk. We received very
good feedback on the Container Gym
in Leppävaara last year, says Virpi Mikama,
Head of Sports Instruction.
Comprehensive equipment
The space in and around the containers
is taken up by a comprehensive
set of fitness equipment for a fullbody
workout.
— Cable pulldown,
bicep curl, squat rack,
bench press, pull-up bar,
ab crunch and back extension,
lists Sports Instructor
Anne Luhtala.
The containers also include
smaller equipment,
such as weight bags, resistance
bands, kettlebells and skipping
ropes. These are kept in a locked
cage. The key can be obtained from
the sports park supervisor.
— We had no problems with lost
equipment or vandalism last year,
Luhtala says.
Spread the word
The containers have been open since
spring and will remain open as long as
weather conditions allow. The equipment
outside the containers will be removed
before the ground freezes, and
the containers will be closed
for the winter. While last summer’s
Container Gym experiment
was favourably received,
Anne Luhtala feels the service
was not yet utilised to its full
potential.
— People may have noticed
the blue container and
the fitness equipment around it, and
maybe the word has spread, but we
haven’t reached all of our potential
visitors yet, admits Luhtala.
TEXT TIINA PARIKKA
Stop by for a workout
during your evening walk,
for example. Container
Gyms with fitness
equipment await Espoo
residents in Leppävaara
and Tapiola. Sports
Instructor Anne Luhtala
shows how it’s done.
The Container Gym was well received last summer. This year,
one will also be available next to Tapiola Sports Park.
“WE HAD NO
PROBLEMS
WITH LOST
EQUIPMENT
OR VANDA-
LISM LAST
YEAR.”
MORE TIPS:
ESPOO.FI/
EN-US/
CULTURE_
AND_SPORT
INTO THE FOREST!
• Tikankierros trail in Central Park
Mon 19 June Group start at 10 a.m.
from the Alamäentie car park at
Alamäentie 2. Trail length approx.
5 km.
• Sorlampi nature trail in Nuuksio
and the accessible Maahisenkierros
trail Tue 20 June Group start 1 at
10 a.m. from the Nuuksionmaja car
park. Address: Nuuksionkuja
2. Hilly trail, challenging terrain.
Group start 2 at 10 a.m. Accessible
Maahisenkierros trail (approx. 2 km)
Start from the Solvalla Arena car
park, upper level. Address: Nuuksiontie
82. The trail is accessible by
pram, wheelchair, walking frame, etc.
• Finnoo nature trail Wed 21 June
Group start at 10 a.m. from the car
park on the northern side of the
Finnoo wetlands, Hyljeluodontie.
The trail around the bird sanctuary
is suitable for persons with reduced
mobility. Free of charge, no registration
required.
HOP ON HOP OFF
EXERCISE
• Mon 26 June–Fri 30 June, 10 a.m.–
3 p.m. At the Leppävaara sports hall
and sports park. Sports and low-intensity
activities for people of all
fitness levels; balancing, gymnastics
course, instructor-led outdoor activity,
easy orienteering, stick and ball
games, etc. Equipment is available
for use. Free of charge, no registration
required.
BEACH WEEK
IN ESPOO
• Mon 31 July–Thu 3 August Sunny
beach life with games, including
ball games, and other fun activities!
The activities are primarily
aimed at pupils in grades 1–6,
including special needs children
and young people. Beach conditions.
The programme on Thursday is particularly
aimed at young people. We
are not responsible for supervising
children during the day.
The NuoriEspoo van will be on hand
every day (Mon–Wed from 1:30 p.m.
onwards and all day on Thursday).
In Matinkylä, the programme also
includes the Get Senior Citizens
Moving event. Mon 31 July Oittaa,
programme hours 10 a.m.–3 p.m.,
Tue 1 August Haukilahti, programme
hours 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Wed 2 August
Matinkylä, programme hours 10
a.m.–3 p.m. and Thu 3 August Laaksolahti,
programme hours 2–7 p.m.
Free of charge,
no registration required.
14

INSIGHT
A marketplace where
ideas and needs meet
The KYKY Marketplace brings together
businesses and users. Pupils and students
participate in the innovation development of
businesses and serve as test users. In addition
to the virtual marketplace, face-to-face marketplace
events have been organised to bring
the parties together.
TEXT Tiina Parikka
1
Each participating school has a room in the KYKY Marketplace
where they can post their own development
ideas. Businesses can also sign in to the system to
create a company description and a description of their development
needs. The development needs submitted to the
KYKY platform from both directions are posted on the public
KYKY Marketplace, where schools and businesses can find
each other’s ideas and establish contact to begin the co-creation
process.
2
An agreement is then drawn up between the school
and the company regarding the collaboration to document
their shared goals, the timetable, the interim
assessment and the final assessment. Under the guidance of
the faculty, the pupils act as testers for the product or service
being developed, while the company acts as the developer.
The pupils have a genuine opportunity to exercise influence
and they see how much work it takes to create something
new. The companies, in turn, receive valuable yet free feedback
from real end users.
3
As a sign of their successful use of the co-creation
approach, the company is then authorised to use the
“Co-created with the City of Espoo Schools” logo.
The co-creation model involves all schools in Espoo, although
only some of them have already taken concrete action to incorporate
the platform into their operations.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
TO PROMOTE LEARNING
THE KYKY Marketplace grew out of contacts received from
entrepreneurs. The City of Espoo received enquiries regarding
the possibility of collaborating with schools to test products
and services. While the idea was viewed favourably in
principle, its implementation was often incomplete due to the
lack of a clear operating model. External funding was then
used to develop an operating model, which has subsequently
been used in piloting the co-creation process with good results.
The co-creation concept is built on three pillars: the product
or service must promote learning, pupils must have a genuine
opportunity to exercise influence, and the co-creation
process must not involve any exchange of money.
The pupils
get a genuine
opportunity
to exercise
influence.
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 15

PEARL
A NEW MEETING
PLACE FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS
THE LEPPÄVAARA LIFE AND LIVING
CENTRE has been a veritable hive of
activity since it opened its doors in
late March. The daytime activity facilities
in the service centre on the
first floor are being used by an arts
and crafts group, while others are
doing a morning workout in the adjacent
gym. At the same time, a local
senior citizens’ association is holding
a meeting in the recreational room
across the hall.
AT LUNCHTIME, the centre’s dining
hall fills with customers. In addition
to the senior citizens who live in the
centre, other local residents also
come to the dining hall for lunch. Outside
dining hours, the space can be
used for various events and activities
for senior citizens, such as parties,
dances and sing-alongs.
THE ACTIVITIES organised at the service
centre are open to all Espoo residents
free of charge. The staff encourage
the centre’s residents and visitors
to not only participate in activities,
but also play an active role in their
development. Family members are
also welcome, and there has been talk
in the centre about creating cross-generational
groups to engage in various
hobbies and physical exercise.
THE BUILDING’S RESIDENTS live
full lives in a home-like environment.
There are 140 small apartments
in the building for residents
requiring various levels of support
and care. Significant focus is placed
on making the premises cosy and
comfortable, which is easy to see on
every floor of the building. For example,
the common areas include
easy chairs, television sets and selfservice
kitchens.
THE LEPPÄVAARA Life and Living
Centre is the second of its kind, with
the first one having been opened
in Kauklahti in 2012. Similar hubs
for senior citizens’ activities and
housing have also been planned for
other areas, such as Matinkylä and
Tapiola.
Life and Living Centres
for Senior Citizens
Leppävaara, Säterinkatu 3
Kauklahti, Hansakartano 4
16

ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 17

SERVICE
TEAM AHMA
– A RAPID
DEPLOYMENT
FORCE
City of Espoo Child
Welfare Services have
created a four-person
rapid deployment team
that can respond to
child welfare cases
quickly, even on the
same day that the
situation arises.
Speed and being able to work
with the same child welfare
officer without transfers
and interruptions. These
are the principles governing the service
provision of City of Espoo Child
Welfare Services.
Under the Team Ahma operating
model, child welfare notifications
are received by a four-person team
comprised of three social workers
and one social counsellor. Each
team is on call for one week at a time
on a rotating basis. In the event of
an urgent need for assistance, two of
the team members can be deployed
even on the same day.
– We often call the customer on
the same day or the next. The customer
doesn’t have to sit at home for
days, worrying about the progress
of his or her case, says social worker
Outi Timonen.
THE SAME CONTACT PERSON THROUGH-
OUT THE PROCESS. A child welfare notification
may be filed by a public authority,
such as a child health clinic,
school or the police. Sometimes, tired
parents themselves contact child
welfare services. The situations range
from violence and divorces to children
being absent from school.
– If there’s a need for child-care
assistance, for example, we can arrange
it on very short notice, says
senior social worker Riina Mattila.
When a call is received, an appointment
is made for an initial assessment
within seven working
TEXT Veera Saloheimo
PHOTO Timo Porthan
Quick response! Natalja Ugbah
(left), Riina Mattila, Virpi
Heinola and Outi Timonen from
Espoo keskus Child Welfare
Services ensure that children
in need receive assistance as
quickly as possible.
18

days. The operating method also includes
that the social worker who
receives the child welfare notification
will stay on as the family’s contact
person in the future. Families
have typically found changes in contact
persons difficult.
IMPLEMENTING THE MODEL ACROSS
THE CITY. The new operating method
represents a significant change. In
the past, child welfare notifications
were received by only one employee,
and cases were left in a queue to
wait for processing. Families had to
wait as long as a month for an appointment.
– Now there’s a smaller risk of us
missing something, or one of our employees
being left to his or her own
devices when faced with a serious situation,
says Outi Timonen, the creator
of the new operating method.
Team Ahma started its operations
in April last year in the Espoo keskus
district. The model has since been
implemented across all of the city’s
child welfare units.
– In the past, it was difficult to
combine a quick customer-focused
response and the assessment of customers’
service needs within the
time limits stipulated by law. That’s
where the idea for Team Ahma came
from, Timonen explains.
THERE’S STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVE-
MENT. The name Team Ahma comes
from the TV show of the same name,
which featured Pirkka-Pekka Petelius
and Taneli Mäkelä as road service
volunteers.
– The characters in the show would
always answer the phone saying “How
can I help?”. In much the same vein,
our goal is to provide better customer
service, Timonen says.
The new model has received a lot
of positive feedback. It was also recognised
with a national “Best Practices”
award in the field of social services
as well as an innovation prize
from the Mayor of Espoo.
In spite of these successes, there
are still challenges to deal with. Services
for immigrants are in need of
further development. There are occasional
language problems, and e-
services do not reach all immigrants
due to some of them being illiterate.
SERVICE PATH
Team Ahma’s four-person
on-call team receives a child
welfare notification from a public
authority or a family
› › ›
If necessary, the family
is provided with immediate
help, such as child care
or crisis assistance
An appointment is made for
an initial assessment
meeting within seven working
days, with a social
worker and his or her colleague,
the child and his or her guardians
and the party who filed the child
welfare notification all present.
“WE OFTEN
CONTACT THE
CUSTOMER ON
THE SAME DAY
OR THE NEXT.”
If necessary, an assessment of
service needs is initiated to
establish a more in-depth
understanding of the
child’s situation.
ESPOO CENTRE CHILD
WELFARE SERVICES
35-40
notifications per week
1,553
notifications
filed in 2016
56
of initial
assessment meetings
were also attended
by the child
ESPOO MAGAZINE 1/2017 >> 19

ISLAND BOAT SCHEDULE
10 JUNE – 3 SEPTEMBER
10 June–13 August: days of operation Tuesday–Sunday,
thereafter only weekends, 19–20 August,
26–27 August and 2–3 September. Boats operate
according to the normal schedule on Midsummer’s Eve.
The stops of the scheduled boats to Espoo’s islands:
› Otaniemi, Norsö I, tel. 046 624 9676
› Kivenlahti marina, Marinsatamantie
Norsö, tel. 046 624 9656
› From Suomenoja to Iso Vasikkasaari
Norsö IV, tel. 046 624 9666
Camping is allowed on Stora Herrö, Gåsgrund and
Rövaren. The facilities on Iso Vasikkasaari
include a café, summer restaurant, toilets and accessible
toilets.
Scheduled island boat prices
› adults €5, return ticket €10
› under 18-year-olds and special groups €2.50,
return ticket €5
› children under 7 years of age travel free
when accompanied by a paying passenger
› From Suomenoja, Nokkala and Haukilahti to
Vasikkasaari, the price for a return ticket is
€2.50 for children and €5 for adults
› free of charge for holders of the 68+ Sporttikortti card
NOTE! Only cash payment is accepted.
ACUTE ILLNESS?
Use our online service to
book an appointment with a
nurse. Same-day appointments
are available. Find out more
about booking appointments
and our other electronic
health services:
espoo.fi
Facebook.com/espoonkaupunki Twitter.com/EspooEsbo Youtube.com/EspooEsbo Instagram.com/EspoonKaupunki