Helsinki is planning a new coastal residential area in Puotila that will house 2,500 residents. The neighborhood will not receive a tram connection despite political support for the idea.
The City Environment Committee is reviewing plans for apartment buildings, commercial spaces, and a small boat harbor. Public transport will rely on buses instead of trams.
Extending the tram line was deemed too expensive at €33 million. The cost would outweigh the benefits since travel time would only improve by one minute compared to buses.
The project had been on hold for about a year while officials studied transport options. Politicians had hoped to extend Line 15 from Itäkeskus shopping center to the new waterfront community.
This Helsinki coastal development will transform the current Puotila boat harbor area. One residential block will be built on an artificial island in Vartiokylä Bay.
The artificial island will be created with sea fill and connected to the mainland by two bridges. An initial design competition failed to attract participants, so the city plans a new contest after approval.
Buildings will feature wood and brick facades with pitched roofs, reaching up to ten stories. The area will include businesses, offices, a kindergarten, and two central parking facilities.
The new small boat harbor will replace some existing facilities. Current capacity of about 600 boat spaces and winter storage will reduce to approximately 300 spots and forty winter spaces.
Environmental considerations include creating a natural wetland for Marjaniemenpuro creek. The City Environment Committee reviews the plan Tuesday, with final decision by the City Council.
Construction cannot begin before the late 2020s. The decision to prioritize buses over trams reflects Helsinki's challenging budget realities despite political ambitions for expanded rail service.