Press release
13.12.2022

Cities solve sustainability challenges related to urban green spaces, urban planning and wellbeing

Sixteen Finnish municipalities are taking part in in the work on challenge clusters under the Sustainable City Programme. The aim is to tackle the most difficult sustainability challenges that cannot be solved by individual organisations or sectors alone. The three themes selected on the basis of the needs of cities are: urban green spaces in increasingly built-up cities, urban planning that takes sustainability targets into account, and flourishing communities in socially sustainable cities. The themes are particularly challenging as they combine the different dimensions of sustainability.

News item
12.12.2022

Welcome to our virtual study trip to a sustainable city!

The Sustainable City programme, together with Demos Helsinki, will organise a study trip of three events on best practices for sustainable urban development. Led by interesting speakers and examples from international contexts, the events will focus on challenges faced by different kinds of urban spaces and areas. The events will be held in English.

Press release
13.06.2022

Key indicators for sustainable urban development published – Join us in their testing and further development

How should the sustainability of cities be measured? The project carried out by the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE ‘Indicators for sustainable urban development’ was a multi-stage participatory process to draw up a proposal for key indicators for sustainable urban development. The aim is to support cities, ministries and other stakeholders in monitoring sustainable urban development. The follow-up project to be started now will test the key indicators that have been identified in municipalities interested in this work.

News item
17.03.2022

Good solutions put to practice – boost to scaling good practices for sustainable urban development

Municipalities and cities across Finland have developed their activities towards better environmental, social and economic sustainability. The project ‘Levers for a Sustainable City’ (VIPU) looks for solutions for faster scaling of good practices. Besides urban development, the tools created can also be used for other purposes.

Solutions for sustainable cities: examples from the Sustainable City Programme

null Bike Lab Hämeenlinna
  • Low-carbon cities
  • Socially sustainable cities
  • pilots for sustainable urban development

Bike Lab Hämeenlinna

Kaksi nuorta huomioliiveissä korjaavat polkupyörää

The aim of the experiment was to promote employment and cycling by creating a model for moving from a low-threshold cycling workshop to a vocational qualification in bicycle mechanics. At the same time, the well-being and entrepreneurship of young people will be supported. 

Results

  • Made the competence of young people's apparent in the workshop environment and served as a transition phase towards vocational education and training. 
  • Study material was prepared for the new part of the qualification and a training course was piloted with 8 students and two automotive field teachers from Tavastia Vocational College.

Effects

  • The link between workshop activities and vocational training became stronger. The model will continue to be utilised In the future.
  • The training which became permanent will increase competence in the bicycle sector via bicycle mechanic training 
  • Good marketing for cycling.
  • The experiment increased the competence of young people' and the summer jobs available to young people.  

In collaboration with

  • City of Hämeenlinna

  • Hämeenlinna region

  • 4H Association

  • Tavastia Vocational College

  • Finnish Cyclists’ Federation

  • Parolan Pyörähuolto

  • Ministry of the Environment