Interview with Mayor of Helsinki
19 January 2014
by Richard Forster
Having been honoured with the title World Design Capital in 2012, Cities Today spoke to Jussi Pajunen, Mayor of Helsinki, about how this recognition has benefitted the city.
In 2012 Helsinki was honoured with the title World Design Capital. With the theme of ‘Open Helsinki’ how has the city developed more resident-oriented services and a more sustainable urban structure?
World Design Capital Helsinki was a great success. One of its key goals was to raise the awareness of the need for strengthened user-orientation in public services and city planning. An excellent example is how we support young people to find education and work by approaching them individually through tailor-made solutions instead of as a collective group. As far as the urban structure is concerned, a new Master Plan is being drafted in close cooperation with city residents.
Helsinki is in the process of a ‘historical transformation’. How is the city regenerating it harbour areas?
The transformation is currently in full swing. New districts for housing and business are being built at prime locations close to the city centre and next to the sea. These vast projects will create homes for more than 100,000 residents. A denser urban structure and heavy investment in public transport makes the city more sustainable. The difficult economic situation has to be considered so that we manage to keep the city finances in balance.
How has Helsinki progressed with the recommendations of the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Programme on open data?
It was a very useful experience to participate in the Smarter Cities Challenge. We received a lot of encouragement regarding our work and validation that we are on the right track. Open Data is more and more perceived as a driving component for successful cities of tomorrow.
In what way has the city used information and communication technologies to benefit citizens?
First of all, information technology on the one hand and communication on the other must be better integrated, to work as a whole, just as in the abbreviation ICT. This has not been the case until now. Easily available information enables citizens to participate fully in the shaping of their own living environment and the basic services that they need. The city has made a commitment to publish all decisions on the Internet.
This year Helsinki will host the 6th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport. How does the city strive to ensure equal rights and opportunities in all fields of life?
This is a very important question, which actually lies in the core of the mission of local authorities in Finland. Our obligation as the principal providers of welfare services is to ensure a functional everyday life for all our residents. As a city, we must also foster a climate of respect towards our fellow citizens and various cultures.
How much contact does Helsinki have with other cities around the world and in what ways has the city shared ideas with other cities? What has Helsinki learnt from other cities in exchange?
An excellent example of a subject where international contacts are of great importance is the Smart City concept. Increased openness and participation are universal challenges shared by all cities. We gain from learning from our partners and their experiences. In the Baltic Sea Region, we aim to strengthen our competitiveness by close collaboration with our neighbouring cities Stockholm, Tallinn and St Petersburg.
What has progressed in Helsinki since the municipal council decided to join the Covenant of Mayors in January 2009? Is the city on track to meet its CO2 reduction objective? What social and economic improvements can you report so far?
The greenhouse gas emissions of Helsinki declined by 3 percent from 2011 to 2012. The 2012 emissions were as much as 18 percent below the 1990 emission level. All the main environmental indicators for environmental reporting can be found in a new Helsinki Metropolitan Area environmental data service.
