Suburban development programme

Around 1.5 million people live in suburbs across Finland. Suburban development affects both the wellbeing of many people and the vitality of the areas. Since 2008, the suburban development programme has encouraged positive changes in these neighbourhoods.

Between 2020 and 2022, the suburban development programme worked in partnership with cities’ suburban development projects and university and research institute research projects. The programme covered 24 development projects in 13 cities, and 18 research projects at 11 universities, research institutes and research units. There was also cooperation between the city and the research projects.

The suburban development programme looked for long-term cross-administrative measures that could:

• prevent segregation of residential areas
• increase residents' wellbeing and inclusion
• promote the vitality of residential areas
• ensure a good standard of services and housing

The programme increased investment in the suburbs which the cities had chosen for the projects. The cooperation between research organisations and cities also resulted in measures that could be put into practice immediately.

Inquiries

Jarmo Muurman
Senior Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of the Environment
tel. +358 295 250 195
[email protected]

Merja Niemi
Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of Education and Culture
[email protected]