Helsinki East Urban Centre

The City of Helsinki is organizing an open international competition regarding the central quarters of Itäkeskus and Puotila. The aim of the competition is to find innovative, inspiring and sustainable solutions for further planning and the eventual construction of the area.

Itäkeskus is the most important subcentre of eastern Helsinki. The area is superbly connected to the public transport network and is split by two major motorways. Within a 500 meters radius from two metro stations there are several shopping centers and hypermarkets to choose from.

The area is a major commercial center even within the whole metropolitan area of Helsinki and a busy transportation hub for tens of thousands of daily commuters and customers. Yet something essential is missing outside the walls of the shopping enclaves and the passing trains and vehicles: urbanity and people.

The aim of the competition is to provide new functions to the proximity of the public transportation hub and commercial services and turn the area from the present-day transit centre into a vibrant urban area – Helsinki East Urban Centre.

Competition area