Neighbourhoods are strengthened by means of physical and social development. The project integrates locally - and makes visible - measures of different areas of city administration, so that they would support each other and could join forces in local partnership by utilizing the networks arisen in the project. The purpose of the project is to balance differences between the areas with local measures using the means of both physical improvement and social development of the environment.

The goal of the Neighbourhood Project is to increase the diversity of the area by means of supplementary construction, to promote renovation of buildings, to improve the quality and services of the environment, to develop social functionality, and to take up the challenges of the information society.

The methods of the project include:

Focal areas in the operation of the neighbourhood project 1996-2004 are distinctiveness and functional diversity of the neighbourhoods, promotion of building renovation, quality of environment and social functionality.

The number of inhabitants in the project areas is almost 45,000. Neighbourhood development is part of the overall strategy of the city of Helsinki.

Renovation of private-owned housing blocks in the years 1996-2004 about 45 million €, including 10 % subsidies from the state. Renovation of city-owned housing blocks in the years 1996-2004 about 78 million €. Reparations of service buildings and improvements of environment in the years 2000-2004 about 45 million € (recourses in the budgets of city departments). Other operational costs for increased social and mental capital in the project areas and for the administration of the project (12-15 persons) in the years 2000-2004 about 8 million €. Skills of co-operation with several city authorities and other partners and skills of organizing different measures, knowledge of local networks in the project areas and skills of communication knowledge of city planning, building, renovation and environment improvements.

City of Helsinki, City Planning Department
Finland
Ms. Ulla Korhonen-Wälmä, tel. + 358 9 169 4285

01/02/1996

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Environmental sustainability, Urban renewal