ABSTRACT

Vallila, Helsinki. Next to our then home, the huge classisist Hauhontie building, there used to be a small park. Rather the park was a neglected strip of bushes, and the only thing about it worth mentioning was that down and outs liked to hang around there. One spring, the City’s Park Department decided to renew the park. The rationale was to beautify the neighbourhood and also to drive out the alcoholics – which was not openly said. Soon the work started. The land was levelled, new earth was brought in, paths were lined and gravelled, most old trees were felled and some new ones were planted. A few slices of granite were installed here and there, with a French public toilet on the most visible corner next to the tram stop. The trimmed strip was given a new name Hauhonpuisto (Hauho Park), and a wooden block in which the name was carved was erected. The public space was supposed to be ready!