Join us in building sustainable cities

Our goal is to implement sustainable development in all the activities of cities and municipalities. This can be achieved by taking into account the various aspects of sustainable development in cooperation between the state, cities and municipalities.

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

Low-carbon cities

Communal vertical farming

The project examined more sustainable and communal urban housing opportunities with the aim of creating a space where the residents of the area can get their fingers dirty the soil and spend time together planting.

Smart cities

A multiperspective review frame for common areas

Multi-objective urban planning is a reconciliation of different needs and perspectives. The cross-examination and coordination of the characteristics, different needs and objectives of the planning area is challenging in multidisciplinary projects. Timely discussion and decision-making help to find suitable solutions for different locations.

Socially sustainable cities

Hyvät eväät

The aim of the experiment was to find new ways to support regional inclusion and reduce inequalities. The experiment involved providing lunches for families with children at three park sites, for which there was an increased need due to the corona crisis.

Healthy cities

Sponsor experiment in sustainable housing

The aim of the experiment was to increase the perceived sense of community and sustainable choices in everyday life in two of the Y-Foundation’s residential communities located in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. The aim was to create a sponsor model for sustainable housing.