Right now

Espoo is growing at a rate of about 5,000 residents per year. Sustainable solutions will benefit future generations.

Maarit Krok

Leppävaara is the third busiest public transport hub in the Helsinki metropolitan area and also accounted for one third of Espoo’s population growth last year. In 2019, Espoo acquired more than 6,000 new residents, of which 2,000 in the Greater

Leppävaara area.

There are three key goals for Leppävaara: condensing the urban structure, improving public transport and services, and expanding the pedestrian zone.

“The basis for project development is that at present this environment does not meet the requirements of a heavy-traffic area,” says Mika Rantala, Project Director of the Greater Leppävaara area.

The Sello shopping centre is the heart of Leppävaara, and the current project is intended to develop its immediate vicinity.

“The ‘Leppävaara centre’ vision involves a new business park to the north and the Hatsinanpuisto business park to the east of Sello. All these are within walking distance of each other. We are seeking to create a larger city centre that can generate positive urban buzz,” explains Rantala.

The redeveloped city centre is also meant to be greener and more accessible. Car parks will be relocated underground, and the bridge spanning the railway is intended to house services along with an indoor terminal space for both bus and train passengers.

These projects are consistent with sustainable mobility and public transport. Several of the planned new housing estates are located along the forthcoming Jokeri Light Rail, and cycling routes are being planned along with the expanded pedestrian zone.

The area is being designed according to the wishes of its residents, who have been invited to participate actively in the development work through residents’ forums and other channels.

“I’ve been meeting local residents on a monthly basis under the heading Tehtävä Leppävaarassa [Mission Leppävaara], and I run a public Facebook group where people can discuss current affairs and development initiatives,” Rantala says.

Indicative plan of what Leppävaara is to look like, viewed from the direction of the Ring I road.

Leppävaaran keskus (SARC Architects ltd)

Aerial view of the Hatsinanpuisto site. The new business park will expand the Leppävaara urban centre around Sello.

Hatsinanpuisto (OOPS, NCC)

Illustration of an aerial view of Leppävaara according to current plans.

Construction of the Jokeri Light Rail has begun in Leppävaara.

Population: 71,500 Population increase: 9,000 by 2025

Raide-Jokeri

(under construction) about 100,000 sq.m of floor space (offices, hotel, housing and commercial space)

(under construction) 250,000 sq.m of floor area for housing

2023–2024

(under construction) 60,000 sq.m of floor area mainly for housing

new railway station bridge 35,000 sq.m of floor area for housing 25,000 sq.m of floor area for offices 20,000 sq.m of floor area for a hotel, services and businesses

40,000 sq.m of floor area for housing

30,000 sq.m of floor area for housing

25,000 sq.m of floor area for housing

Jobs: 30,000

Jokeri Light Rail: 9 km in Leppävaara

ESPOO enjoys one of Finland’s highest rates of population growth. The City is catering to new residents by producing various info packages.

Under the heading Information for residents on the city of Espoo website, there are sections for instance on housing counselling, allotment gardens and carpet washing sites. The city has also launched an English-language website, Hello Espoo, for foreign residents. The site is a step-by-step guide to the journey before, during and after moving to Espoo.

The InfoFinland.fi website also provides a wealth of information about Espoo for both Finnish and international people relocating to the area and is available in Finnish, Swedish and English and also in nine other languages, including Somali and Chinese.

• espoo.fi (Information for residents) • helloespoo.fi • infofinland.fi