Master plan and participatory budgeting for Nikkilä Central Park in Sipoo
The use of the participatory budgeting method is an initiative of the Sipoo Municipal Council from 2014. The aim of the project was to involve the residents in the park's planning process so that they can participate in and influence the choices made. An important starting point was that the park would be designed as an attractive and safe meeting place for residents of different ages. The final general plan for the park was designed according to what the residents had themselves decided by voting on the alternatives.
Results
- Valuable experience of how to involve residents (what works, what doesn’t). A brainstorming tour was an excellent way to reach out to Sipoo residents and get feedback on the project. On the other hand, downloading the CHAOS Crowd app, a participation tool to one’s phone raised a lot of suspicion among people of all ages.
- Around 400 ideas were collected for park activities on the first brainstorming tour. As a result, four plans for the different sections of the park were put to the vote within the framework of the budget.
Effects
- The experiment increased the residents' understanding of the planning of the living environment and the municipality's spending.
- New aspects were introduced to the municipality operating methods. Communal activities will remain in practice.
- The use of participatory budgeting (OSBU) can be extended to other projects in the municipality. Next, the participatory budget method will be utilised during Nikkilä Park’s construction.
In collaboration with
- Municipality of Sipoo
- Nomaji maisema-arkkitehdit Oy
- Et May Oy
- CHAOS Crowd Oy
- Sipoon Sanomat
- Ministry of the Environment
