View from the corner of Kaivokatu and Keskuskatu. Photo: Masu Planning
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Helsinki has unveiled plans to enhance the livability, vibrancy, and accessibility of its city center with a series of traffic and infrastructure improvements. The proposal, outlined in the city’s Central Traffic System Plan, focuses on creating a more welcoming pedestrian environment and upgrading public transport connections. One of the major changes being considered is restricting Kaivokatu to public transport, pedestrians, and recreational use.
The plan, set to be reviewed by the city’s environment committee on September 17, aims to transform the area around Helsinki’s Central Railway Station into a more pleasant, service-rich space with new seating areas, greenery, and terraces. The goal is to better integrate the station into the pedestrian-friendly core of the city, while prohibiting through-traffic for private cars along Kaivokatu. Traffic through the city center would be rerouted via the Esplanade streets, which would maintain two lanes of traffic on both Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi.
Enhancing Walkability and Public Spaces
The proposal also seeks to improve the local street network and public spaces across the city center, making streets more pedestrian-friendly and attractive to businesses. “We want Helsinki’s city center to be a vibrant place where people want to spend time. To maintain a lively center with a broad range of services, we need to make it an inviting space. Our goal is to be a globally competitive capital,” said Ville Lehmuskoski, Director of City Environment for Helsinki.
Major Changes Expected by 2030
The redesigned Kaivokatu is expected to be completed in the early 2030s. The traffic system plan, along with an accompanying environmental plan, aims to support the city’s 2021 decision to ambitiously expand its pedestrian zones. A key priority is improving public transport connections, especially around the Central Railway Station and Kamppi Terminal, while maintaining convenient access to all properties in the city center.
One major upgrade under consideration is providing access to all underground parking facilities connected to the city’s service tunnels from any entry point, a solution that is currently being explored. However, the changes would lengthen travel times for service and goods traffic as well as for those who wish to drive through the city center.
Positive Impacts Outweigh the Drawbacks
Despite potential drawbacks, such as longer travel times for certain drivers, the overall impact of the changes is expected to be positive. “Our assessment shows that the plan would bring more benefits than drawbacks for Helsinki. For most commuters, travel times to the city center would shorten, and the plan would strengthen the city center’s vitality,” explained Reetta Putkonen, Head of Traffic and Street Planning.
If approved by the environment committee, the plan will move to the City Council for further consideration later this fall. The transformation will require extensive zoning, traffic, street, and detailed planning before it can be implemented, with most changes expected to take effect in the early 2030s. Meanwhile, renovations to the metro station’s roof and the implementation of planned light rail routes on Kaivokatu will take place in the coming years.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
