H e l s i n k i - I n f o Issue 6 – 2011 December 12 English Supplement

Contents

2 A city of good life 4 redefines itself through city planning 7 Sweeping changes over 200 years 9 Job and passion combined 11 Bicentennial programme to embrace all of Helsinki 13 Engel in Helsinki: Lessons from the heart 15 Lights over the sea Tuomas Rajajärvi: 15 Info kit Helsinki redefines itself through city planning Page 3 Celebrating the Capital Page 11 Rhinoceros Oy English Supplement

A city of good life

365 Wellbeing is one of the main development projects of

PAGE Helsinki´s year as World Design

Capital in 2012. FRONT The international body of stu- dents, researchers and profes- sors at Aalto University reflect their living and working environment in Helsinki.

The team with students Florina Trost (left), Deborah Betteto, Muhyeon Kim, Sanna Tuononen, Mike Walker, researchers Jari-Pekka Kola and Kirsikka Vaajakallio, Alastair Fuad- Luke professor, and students Kaushik Eshwar, Vesa Ylirisku, Sarang Ganoo and Tamara Amalia. English Supplement

The team that participates in solutions for municipal wellbeing of design in particular – have the Aalto University-led project services. Some of the initiatives gained renewed prominence,” 365 Wellbeing admires the way explore psychiatric care practices, says Professor Turkka Kei- the sea surrounds the city and electronic services and smoke- nonen of the Aalto University its centre in particular. They free public environments. The Department of Design, explain- mention the waterfront cafés, project also seeks new means to ing the background of the flea markets, greenness, and the promote healthy lifestyles and project. slow sunsets that bathe the healthful living environments. cityscape in magnificent colours. “Responsible design – the Summer in the The team is unanimous about environmental and social aspects Seurasaari island. their favourite place in Helsinki: the Seurasaari island and open- PAGE air museum. They sum up the

pluses of Seurasaari: “The build- Raoul Charpentier FRONT ings give us a good idea of old Finnish building styles. The squirrels are cute. It’s nice to lie on the rocks at the water’s edge in summer, watch families on picnic and take a swim.“

A design process for an even better life 365 Wellbeing is a spearhead development project of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. The project consists of 12 stu- dent initiatives that look for new patient-centred health care FRONT PAGE

The citylookstothefuture atahistoricjuncture: itself through city planning redefines Helsinki

Rhinoceros Oy sinki region are no longer tenable. municipal boundaries in the Hel stage in its evolution where issues. Helsinki has reached a capital. ’s as bicentennial its on stands sinki Hel where on reflecting ment, Depart Planning City Helsinki mas says transition,” in “We’re faced making, Two seeks Two visionaries meet: Eliel Saarinen Saarinen Eliel meet: visionaries Two drew a master plan for Greater Hel Greater for plan master a drew sinki in 1918, his vision of a capital capital a of vision his 1918, in sinki city symbolizing an independent independent an symbolizing city nation’s faith in the future. The home home The future. the in faith nation’s of the original plan is in Tuomas Tuomas in is plan original the of Rajajärvi’s office. office. Rajajärvi’s By Johanna Lemola He singles out three major

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Political changes and economic two decades we have been Copenhagen. Today cover the unique development have shifted reali- implementing a grand develop- we turn our eyes to St Helsinki story.” ties in northeastern Europe, and ment plan launched in 1990. Petersburg, which is Writing He describes how Helsinki is in the process of rede- This plan involved redevelop- closer than Stockholm, the Helsinki Helsinki seeks to fining its place and identity in ment of the inner city harbour and to Moscow, which define its place in the European family of cities. areas, connections to , is closer than Copen- story. Europe: “We can’t “I have learnt over and the art-and-sci- hagen. Tallinn is only compete with bulk, my years steering Hel- ence axis of Arabian- 20 minutes away by like places such as sinki’s City Planning The time ranta and Viikki. helicopter.” Manhattan can do. Our story that change happens “That work is now “Ideally a city should tell a must stem from being an attrac- only when the time is is ripe for finished, and it’s time story,” Rajajärvi says. “Our task tive, pleasant city marked by ripe. If it isn’t ripe, for- regional for a new round. This here at City Planning is to dis- closeness to nature and human PAGE get it!” Rajajärvi says is general planning scale. For example, Helsinki’s describing the nature cooperation. that answers a major Central Park extends to down- FRONT of city planning. His challenge that Hel- town, and ships sail to the centre. long, three-decade-long tenure sinki is facing: we can’t manage “In Helsinki, different areas of at the department has given him by ourselves any longer in Hel- the city should form a harmoni- insight that works like sensors in sinki, and we’ll very soon reach ous series like chapters of a the stream of time. our limits of growth. story. Each area should have a Rajajärvi offers the western “When we make large invest- soul, which determines the extension of the Helsinki metro ments in the region, we should area’s character.” to Espoo as an example. Decades act like there were no municipal Rajajärvi mentions Viikki as an under discussion, the issue rip- boundaries.” example, planned on environ- ened to the point where the Rajajärvi continues to explain mental values and as the home decision was made swiftly. the bigger picture for Helsinki of a biosciences campus. “The The time is now ripe for larger and the region. values and role of Viikki pene- regional cooperation. “We used to have close con- trate the entire area and create Rajajärvi explains, “For the past tacts with Stockholm and new growth.” Rhinoceros Oy English Supplement

The future Helsinki’s vast asset in defining “A city is a place belongs to The values that con- “These have been Helsinki’s its place is the emphasis and where many functions vene in Helsinki values for as long as I remember, exceptional resources in city come together, and cities. include public trans- and they make Helsinki a true planning, including the City together they form a portation, especially city,” Rajajärvi emphasizes. Planning Department’s staff of whole which is greater than the on rail, efficient energy solutions, True cities are where progress about 280 and a unit specializ- sum of its parts,” Rajajärvi and ecological development happens, and they are the ing in the study of weak signals defines cities. which gathers rather than sepa- engines of growth in nations and in society. rates functions and builds them regions, both economically and on existing structures. culturally. “The future belongs to cities,” Rajajärvi asserts. PAGE Plans for the Kalasatama area. FRONT Kalasatama / ALA-Arkkitehdit Oy Kalasatama / English Supplement Sweeping changes over 200 years By Johanna Lemola

Helsinki’s history as capital is part of the Finnish national psyche. Historian Martti Helminen looks back at what happened 200 years ago, what it meant, and where PAGE Helsinki stands today. FRONT What did the status as the capi- tal of Finland mean for Helsinki? How did it transform Helsinki and all of Finland? These are questions that Hel- sinki historian Martti Helminen seeks to answer, not just for peo- ple in Helsinki but for all Finns. “Helsinki is the capital of all Finns,” he says, “and everybody in Finland should feel ownership in Helsinki because Helsinki’s history is Finland’s history and

reflects the spirit of the nation.” Rhinoceros Oy English Supplement

Finland was annexed from Swe- points out, “and , or Åbo, and construction process got stands out against its European den to the Russian Empire as an was never a capital during the underway to rebuild the town, peers, many of which grew from autonomous Grand Duchy in Swedish rule, only Finland’s larg- practically from an empty table. trading places with a medieval- 1809. “Emperor Alexander I of est city.” Helsinki would be style plan characterized by nar- Russia wanted to stabilize Fin- Alexander I named turned into a capital row and winding alleys. land with the autonomy,” Helsinki Russia gave that would stand as The Ehrenström plan wiped out Helminen explains, referring to the capital of Finland a metaphor of new what little existed in Helsinki, the hundreds of years of tumult in 1812. Turku had Finland power. a town of 4,000 residents and between Sweden and Russia on served as the Finnish A Finn educated mostly wooden houses, retaining Finnish soil. capital in the interim a capital. in town planning only some ten stone houses of Autonomy meant that Finland period 1809–1812. named Johan Albre- local merchants. would for the first time in his- Alexander I and his cht Ehrenström German architect Carl Lud- PAGE tory have its own administration follower Nicholas I were very was appointed to head the proc- vig Engel was assigned to the and a capital. “Finland’s status keen to develop Helsinki. ess. He envisioned a city with architectural design of the main FRONT in the Swedish Empire was only Soon after Helsinki changed its straight, wide streets placed on buildings in 1816. He stayed on as ‘eastern parts’,” Helminen status to capital, a vast design a geometric grid. Today, Helsinki the task to his death in 1840, despite many occasions when he considered leaving. “What architect gets to design a whole city?” Engel would delib- erate on his reasons to stay.

South Harbour has functioned since the end of the 17th century as a port and quay area neighbouring the city center. Helsinki City Museum English Supplement

Helsinki’s evolution over the Today the Swedish speakers Job and passion combined past 200 years has gone represent six percent of the Hel- through major milestones. sinki population, while the share Martti Helminen is a lucky Nevertheless, foreign travel has Helminen serves as the main of foreign-born people stands at man. “I get to do for living what allowed Helminen to view his consultant on those milestones almost eleven percent and is I do for a hobby,” he admits. For home city from different per- for Helsinki’s bicentennial pro- growing. the past 32 years, he has been a spectives to understand Helsin- gramme in 2012. The pro- Helminen describes the role of historian, now under the title ki’s character and spirit. This gramme culminates in an foreign-born people in Helsinki Special Researcher, at the Hel- includes about 20 visits to St exhibition titled Head and in the past. “The first musicians sinki City Archives, which is the Petersburg. He quotes Finnish Heart, on view at Helsinki City of the Helsinki Philharmonic chief agency to document Hel- poet and writer Zacharias Hall’s Virka Gallery from early Orchestra came from . sinki’s history. Topelius (1818–1898), “Hel- April to mid-June 2012. Household names in Helsinki Helminen has not abandoned sinki is like St Petersburg’s little PAGE Helminen picks out one of the including Stockmann and Sine- his passion for Helsinki in his cousin.” Another perspective is key themes of the exhibition to brychoff remind us how Helsinki physical surroundings either: he provided by , Helminen’s FRONT point out a powerful factor in has been built by foreigners; has lived all his life in the Töölö favourite destination owing to Helsinki’s evolution – demo- now these names are synony- district of Helsinki, studied in his interest in the German lan- graphics. mous to the iconic department Helsinki, and even served his guage and culture. “One of the huge milestones in store and a famous beer brand.” armed duty in Helsinki. Helminen defends Helsinki’s Helsinki took place around 1900, The future Helsinki is inevitably character and spirit. His daytime when the Finnish speakers an increasingly multicultural city, duties continue after working exceeded 50 percent of the city’s and some of the future mile- hours on a voluntary basis as population. Equally momentous stones in Helsinki will most defi- Chairman of Helsinki-Seura, a to the city was when residents nitely be marked by foreign-born Helsinki society founded in 1934 speaking some other languages residents – as milestones have to advocate Helsinki’s cultural than Finnish or Swedish been marked by them over the and historical values, especially exceeded the number of the past 200 years from Engel as they are reflected in the city- Swedish speakers.” onwards. scape. Rhinoceros Oy English Supplement

By Tiina Kotka Milestones of the Finnish capital

8 April 1812 Emperor 1906 Parliamentary reforms are 1944–1947 The Allied Control 1995 Finland joins the EU. Alexander I makes Helsinki the implemented, introducing equal Commission oversees 1999 Finland joins the capital of the Grand Duchy of and universal suffrage and a compliance with the Moscow eurozone. Finland. unicameral parliament. Armistice. 2000 Helsinki turns 450 as a 1812 Johan Albrecht Ehrenström 6 December 1917 The Senate 1952 Summer Olympics European Capital of Culture. is appointed to head the of the 1975 Conference on Security reconstruction of Helsinki, and declares Finland an independent 2012 World Design Capital and Co-operation in Europe Carl Ludvig Engel of Berlin is nation. Helsinki 2012 made the chief architect.

PAGE 1919 Finland becomes a 8 April 2012 Helsinki

1819 The Senate of Finland and constitutional republic. celebrates the bicentennial as

FRONT all central government agencies capital. 1931 Parliament House is are relocated to Helsinki. Helsinki City Media Bank inaugurated. 1828 The Royal Academy (today 1939 The Winter War begins; ) is Helsinki suffers from air raids by relocated from Turku to Helsinki. the Soviet air force. 1855 The major sea fortress 1941–1944 The Continuation dating back to the 18th century, War; Helsinki suffers from heavy Viapori, is bombarded by the air raids in April 1944. When English and French navies during Finland loses Karelia to the the Crimean War. Soviet Union, all 400,000 1863 The first regular Karelians flee and Helsinki parliamentary sessions of the receives 30,000 evacuees from Finnish Grand Duchy Viipuri. Kimmo Brandt FRONT PAGE Finland. In her role as the pro the as role her In Finland. of capital the as bicentennial city’s the celebrating Helsinki in year next programme year-long the of part a be to festival music folk Finnish national a secured Hilkka become Every English Supplement sinki is the nation’s capital.” nation’s the is sinki Hel because place taken have that Helsinki in developments and events highlight will tent con says. she programme “The Helsinki,” for meant has capital as status the what explaining capital’ as ‘Helsinki theme the pectedly. unex sources,sometimes many from programme the to butions contri receives Office, she Event Helsinki of City the at gramme pro 200 Helsinki the of ducer they and By Johanna Lemola “The programme will open up up open will programme “The

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Helsinki City Media Bank A view along the street street the along view A Unioninkatu. Capital 2012. As a result, the the 2012. result, a As Capital Design the World as tennial bicen its celebrate will Helsinki Double jubilee. the make to players of number large a by effort joint a be will 200 Helsinki contributions. make to administration City the outside and inside both players year. urges She bicentennial the in them reflect to how ing more, ponder many issues,and Russia. to connection rail the through Helsinki to brought species new with changed flora the Even numerous. were capital problems. social and pollution as such effects side negative some with rapidly, also grew Hytönen looks at all these these all at looks Hytönen becoming of Theconsequences

celebrations - - able at at able avail are information other and gallery. Laituri the at exhibition Axis Unioninkatu the by mented comple be will laser Theblue street. the of significance the underscoring onwards October late from Unioninkatu through shot beam laser a be will laser” blue tory. mystical “The his of scenes and institutions Helsinki main the of many nects con and centre city the through axis major a forms that street a Unioninkatu, around revolve explains. Hytönen function,” double a serve they’ll items, so programme share we’ll possible, other. each ment “Wherever programme. related design- vast a through design of dimensions explores latter programme. TheHelsinki Capital Design the World with coincide will programme 200 Helsinki The Helsinki 200 programme programme 200 TheHelsinki items shared the of Some comple programmes Thetwo www.helsinki200.fi . - - - - - English Supplement Engel in Helsinki: Lessons from the heart

PAGE C.L. Engel (1778–1840). Oil painting

by J.E. Lindh from around 1830.

FRONT Helsinki City Museum.

Architect C.L. Engel’s life is documented in a new exhibition.

“I must stay in this country of bears for a while before I can consider moving to a better cli- mate,” Carl Ludvig Engel wrote from Helsinki to an old The central square of Helsinki before the city became the capital friend in Berlin in 1816. with the tiny wooden church of Ulrika Eleonora. FRONT PAGE sinki’s bicentennial as capital, capital, as bicentennial sinki’s Hel celebrate to exhibition Thefirst personal A I.” than fate his with satisfied more be can man letters, “No last his in stated he created, had he that Helsinki style Empire- the at looked Engel career his of end the at when But first. at stifling was Helsinki in life parison, and Tallinn.com Petersburg In St in buildings aroundSenateSquare. ings andthemainadministrative Lutheran cathedral, universitybuild- main blocksofthenewcapital, the Alexander IofRussiatodesignthe his belovedhomecity. idea thathewouldneverreturnto Grand DuchyofFinland. Hehadno designated capitaloftheRussian committee ofHelsinki, thenewly ment onthereconstruction lin hadjuststartedhisnewassign- Before Helsinki Engel had worked worked had Engel Helsinki Before Engel was chosenbyEmperor The 37-year-old architectfromBer

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- - - www.engel.fi 2012 January 12–29 18 G18, Centre Yrjönkatu Cultural n Helsinki antique shop keepers. shop antique Helsinki and experts museum researchers, architecture torians,landscape abroad. from imported plants decorative other and roses cultivated he where plot beloved master’s the garden, large admired once home’s Engel 20. Bulevardi at house wooden large a in stood it as home Engel’s of reconstruction a is exhibition the of Thegem comments. witty architect’s the by supplemented drawings plan town and architectural include that materials with man great Engel. to perspective new a opens lin”, Ber in Heart – Helsinki in “Home The curating team includes his includes team Thecurating the presents also Theexhibition this introduces Theexhibition Home in Helsinki – Heart in Berlin in Heart – Helsinki in Home - - The Senate square today today square Senate The with Engel´s Cathedral. Engel´s with English Supplement

Helsinki City Media Bank FRONT PAGE ksv.hel.fi/en/kruunuvuorenranta/lights sinki -programme. sinki Hel 2012 Capital Design World unique ally internation and nationally both is that design lighting coherent a wih district a unuvuorenranta wilderness. natural true and parks estate of form the in history cultural offers district the sea, the over views geous gor to addition In shoreline. 2012. in begin will inhabitants. Theconstruction Helsinki all for area recreational attractive an and area tial residen cosy a both be will ranta Kruunuvuorenranta. district tial residen new the for plan lighting general the selecting at aiming organized be will competition invitational international An The competion is part of the the of part is Thecompetion Kru make to is Theintention of kilometres six has Thearea future, Kruunuvuoren the In ------Lights over the sea

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