ABSTRACT
The focus of this chapter is on the contemporary use and perception of green space in Helsinki. It is concerned especially with the significance of seasonality, taking account of the four seasons experienced by Nordic countries, but with the greatest emphasis being placed on comparing summer and winter usage, as affording the greater contrast. While the concept of green space reflects the common perception of open spaces that are at least partly green because of natural vegetation, this is very much a summer phenomenon in the Nordic countries, although coniferous trees bring some greenness to winter landscapes. Otherwise, the colour of the landscape obviously changes through the seasons, turning yellow, brown or gold during the autumn, white in the winter, and blue or black on winter nights.
