A magazine for Espoo residents 3-2020

theme
The new master plan
will cover approximately
170 square kilometres
in northern and central
Espoo – more than half
of Espoo’s land area. The
goal is to have approval
for the alteration to the
master plan by spring
2021.
Text Tiina Parikka Photos Mauri Ratilainen
THE
i
Espoo–
Salo direct line
will have two new
stations for local
rail services: Hista
and Myntinmäki.
The development of
these areas, which
are located northwest
of Espoon
keskus, has been
taken into account
in the preparation
of the master plan.
However, the fastest
progress will
be made with the
development of the
existing centres.
Framework
for construction
A master plan directs the land use of a region
and creates the framework for town planning.
Listening to the wishes of the local residents
and other involved parties is key.
The master plan proposal for Espoo’s
northern and central parts will be
made available to the public this
autumn. It involves an extensive
change to the master plan and covers
more than half of Espoo’s land area.
The current master plan for the northern
parts of Espoo became legally valid in 1997. It
can no longer meet the challenges of the evergrowing
capital region and the changes made in
Espoo.
“A master plan directs land use in a planned
area, while taking into account the different
aspects of the city’s structure. Detailed plans,
for example, on the construction of residential
buildings are determined in changes made
locally to the master plan,” explains Head of
Master Plan, Essi Leino.
The master plan, in turn, is directed by the
regional plan, which takes into account the
development needs of the entire region. In the
case of Espoo, this means the capital region in
particular.
The master plan is reviewed approximately
every ten years, or more often if necessary.
The need to review it may become evident, for
example, when population growth significantly
exceeds expectations.
“The renewed master plan for central and
northern Espoo makes it possible to welcome
60,000 new residents on the area,” Leino says.
Everything is interconnected. Population
growth is not the only factor driving change.
“Intense urbanisation not only brings about
new residents, but also influences the number
of jobs and how much traffic there is. At the
same time, various trends for change have to be
taken into account in city planning,” Leino says.
These trends obviously include adapting to
and curbing climate change, but changes in how
we work are also involved.
“The coronavirus has accelerated changes
in how we work. We need to take account of the
increasing number of people who work from
home and have virtual meetings when we assess
the need for space at physical workplaces,”
Leino says.
Traffic and transport are also changing. Even
if commuter traffic decreases, people will still
travel to their hobbies and for pleasure in their
free time.
“Buying things online also increases the
amount of goods being transported – and at the
same time, reduces the need for space in shops,”
Leino says, highlighting the scope of the circumstances
affecting city planning.
Along the route of the One Hour Train.
The implementation of the One Hour Train
between Turku and Helsinki took a step forward
again this spring when the Government
and municipalities agreed to establish a project
,,Intense urbanisation
also has an effect on
the number of jobs
and how much traffic
there is in the area.
8 A magazine for Espoo residents