Parking spaces for residential buildings are often built in parking garages. Photo: Sami Lamminen
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Helsinki plans to ease mandatory parking space requirements for new residential buildings, particularly in central areas, under a policy proposal to be reviewed by the City Environment Committee on 6 May.
If approved, developers building in southern Helsinki, south of Hakamäentie and in Pasila, will no longer be required to construct parking spaces. Instead, they can determine the number of spaces based on demand.
In other parts of the city, minimum requirements will be reduced. For most areas, apartment buildings will need at least one parking space per 220–280 square metres of floor area. In district centres such as Kannelmäki, Malmi, Itäkeskus and Herttoniemi, even lower requirements will apply.
The new rules will apply only to new construction. Existing buildings remain unaffected, and additional infill construction on existing lots will not trigger new parking obligations. The city expects this will facilitate more flexible and cost-effective urban development.
Helsinki currently requires one space per 100–150 square metres in new zoning plans. This has led to excess parking construction, often unprofitable for developers. The proposed shift allows developers to respond directly to market demand. The city argues that developers are best placed to judge how many parking spaces are economically viable and attractive to buyers or tenants.
The change is expected to increase the city’s land lease revenue over time, as plots become more valuable when freed from surplus parking mandates. It also supports Helsinki’s climate neutrality target by reducing construction-related emissions and encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport.
The decision to remove mandatory parking in the southern zone was based on research showing that most residents in these areas rely on non-car transport. Motorists will still have access to private parking facilities and street parking, where available. Developers may still build parking spaces, but they will not be required to do so.
The move is part of a broader parking strategy adopted by the city in 2022. That strategy aims to make parking more flexible and aligned with Helsinki’s broader transport, housing, economic, and climate goals. Other measures include plans to convert more street parking into timed or paid spaces to ensure availability for short-term use.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
