Photo Lahti University of Applied Science / Hub Helsinki.
”Get rid of the lawn, put flatland and some objects there, and there should be another pool in the park.” Along with new skate parks, Helsinki’s citizens wish for art streets, meeting places and opening homes for travellers.
In May, the City of Helsinki and Hub Helsinki organized a brainstorming day for citizens. The aim of the day was to collect citizens’ thoughts and ideas for developing the city. Throughout the day over a hundred discussion and brainstorming events were held in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen and Lahti.
“In every city, the basic concept was to have small events as well as idea patrols polling the people throughout the day and asking for their ideas to help develop the city,” says SAMI OINONEN of Hub Helsinki.
Over 2 000 idea cards were filled at events and on the streets. In addition to that, people had the chance to leave their suggestions on the World Design Capital 2012 website until the end of May. Ideas came in from all kinds of people from skater boys to young families to elders. At skate parks, the youngsters not only wrote down their suggestions, they also included schematics and shapes of the ramps and pools they wished for.
“We got thousands of ideas. The vast amount tells us that citizens want to take part in the brainstorming. People didn’t have a problem with sharing their ideas on the streets as the patrols approached them, either,” Oinonen recalls.
“In events like this, there is usually a standard quota, about one percent, of significant ideas that the city hasn’t already thought of before. This tip of the iceberg has certain themes and areas that we can assign a responsible party to. So out of 3 000 ideas we’ll get about 30 very good ones.”
Doors into the city and its homes
Hub Helsinki, which consists of professionals of various fields, divided the ideas into eight themes. The report was handed to the city, and an English version to ICSID, the organization behind the World Design Capital venture.
Cleanliness and the optimization of waste management were among the most themes that produced the most ideas, perhaps the best of which was adding waste bag vending machines into parks. Another top theme was making the city more welcoming by improving facades and park routes.
“Accentuating the local traits and identities of different districts was a broad theme. How do you accentuate a local trait? Käpylä has a strong identity, but how do you create a similar feel of connectedness in other districts?” Oinonen asks. “Another strong concept was everyday design. People want to have the chance to leave their own mark into the cityscape. One brilliant idea was making Fredrikinkatu into an art street for citizens.”
“Many people also pointed out that design is for everyone, and that the people should have the chance to partake in ‘home sherpa’ activities, opening up their homes for travellers. With this kind of activity, we can offer travellers a whole new perspective into Finnish life.”
One of the most interesting themes deals with bringing together citizens across age or nationality barriers. “Citizens want diverse gatherings, events, random meeting places and networks, theme parks for children and adults. How could old people’s homes and kindergartens be more in touch with each other?” Oinonen ponders. “Many expatriates stay within their communities while Finns stick to theirs. How could we further internationality and communication?”
Making ideas come true
It would be easy to fall into cynicism and think that while ideas have been collected, nothing actual is going to happen. However, Oinonen feels that the ideas are meant to be realized.
“The point of dividing the ideas into themes is that that way they’re easy to appoint to someone. Suggestions don’t come to life if someone doesn’t step up and take responsibility,” he says. “For example, the idea of a string of skate parks could be discussed with the Youth Department and kids. Ideas and services can even help start new companies.”
“It’s important that some of these ideas get done already this year. Some pilot campaigns could take place during Helsinki Design Week at the end of August, and new services have to be launched in 2011. When the design capital year 2012 rolls around, we can offer citizens a compound of new events and services. After that, the process will continue in different forms on many fronts.” †
Text Heini Lehtinen
Helsinki was elected World Design Capital 2012 in November 2009. A series of articles in We Are Helsinki will detail Helsinki’s journey towards the design year 2012. www.wdc2012helsinki.fi
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