Otaniemi land-use discussion continues at ABE

In December 2014, YTK/EUE research group invited the key stakeholders of Otaniemi development to Aalto Built Environment Laboratory (ABE) to discuss the future land use of the Otaniemi area. A second meeting to continue the process was held on April 8th 2015.

The second discussion about Otaniemi future land-use revolved around certain areas in Otaniemi where the interests of the stakeholders could be aligning, based on the first discussion in December. As a follow-up to the discussion, a few smaller co-operation forums where settled regarding some subareas that are now in the focus of planning. The Espoo Strand pathway that frames the Otaniemi coast will also be featured as one topic in the Nordic Case Competition in Hanasaari in October 2015.

Collaborative urban planning and the ways of fostering situation awareness are some of the research interests of ABE. The Otaniemi area is changing fast due to the coming metro extension and the Aalto University campus concentration in the area. Limitations to the most bold development ideas are presented by the questions of nature and cultural heritage conservation. In addition, there are several parties who have ideas and plans regarding area’s future land-use. Bringing these parties together and using visualizing tools to present their visions enhance everybody’s understanding of the situation of the area and facilitates informed discussion about it.

Aalto Built Envinronment Laboratory (ABE) is a new collaborative research and learning initiative of Aalto University, School of Engineering focusing on the questions of the built environment.

More information: Aija Staffans, ABE.