HELSINKI
Summary
Finland is a modern Nordic country with a high standard of living based on a high technology driven economy. It also regularly comes first in Yale University’s Environmental Sustainability Index of nations, and was voted by Lonely Planet as one of its top ten nations to visit. Our trip is based in the capital, Helsinki and also takes in the neighbouring city of Espoo, a high technology city best known as the home of Nokia, the mobile phone company. Both areas are developing very rapidly, but have different approaches to planning for growth. Helsinki is a highly planned compact city served by an efficient public transport system. Espoo has evolved more spontaneously, rather like a North American edge city and has a completely different feel, with its network of unplanned low density housing in the forest, and a high rate of car ownership.
Structure and content
The main focus of this field class, which is limited to 25 students, is to investigate and improve our understanding of the relationships between urban form, function, transport and mobility, and environment, taking Helsinki and Espoo (Finland’s two largest cities) as case studies.
Our approach to this task will primarily be based on a public survey questionnaire designed prior to departure which is then implemented in both cities, and then analysed on an individual basis upon return. The survey will be supported by personal observations, including field diaries and photographic evidence. We will also visit a range of land use and transport professionals to learn more about the issues and approaches taken to planning for growth in the metropolitan region. Organised social events include a trip to Suomenlinna World Heritage Island and a Sauna party with students from Helsinki University of Technology.
Staff
Dr Gordon Mitchell and Dr David Milne
