ABSTRACT
Helsinki has a reputation of being a livable city. It ranks relatively high, for instance, in The Economist’s and Monocle’s livability and quality of life indices. Helsinki is growing rather rapidly, and large new urban areas are being planned and built. Recent discussion in the city has emphasized more “urban” approach to planning. However, critics argue that the way Helsinki is being built doesn’t meet the needs of diversifying society. This chapter discusses the livability of Helsinki by analyzing the strategic visioning, planning and building of “the new urban Helsinki”. How is livability brought up and framed in visions and planning documents, and how does it translate into the built environment? Development of the Fish Harbour area, Kalasatama, an ongoing site of urban regeneration, will be used as a case to illustrate the planning and development policies.
