Viikki District, Helsinki
Community scale connections with nature

Viikki’s 1,700 home eco-district masterplan has served to enhance residents’ connection with nature:

• Nature reserve – Viikki is adjacent to a 250 hectare wetland bird habitat, with controlled public access;
• Enhanced landscapes – The Viikinjoa agricultural area has been enhanced to create a 34 hectare district park;
• Green ‘fingers’ – Corridors of ecological planting bring nature into the housing areas;
• Ecology park – A special children’s ecology park is being constructed following a design competition;
• Environmental education centre – The ‘Gardenia’ is an environmental education centre managed by residents;
• Garden centre – An advice centre has been established on the edge of neighbouring woodland;
• Allotments – A range of smallholdings including plots and greenhouses are available to residents.

Sources:
1. City of Helsinki (1999) Viikki – a university district and science park for the 2000’s, City Planning Department
2. Gauzin-Miller, D (2002) Sustainable architecture and urbanism, Birkhauser