Turku (FI)

SITE / CONTEXT

Turku’s flat landscape is punctuated by the Aurajoki River and rocky hills. From the river’s mouth, long views open up to the unique archipelago that starts just outside the city. The 40,000 islands and islets on the Archipelago Sea have an impact in the region’s high natural diversity.
The competition area is located south of Turku city centre, reasonably close to the Aurajoki river and the sea.The environment of the competition area is varied in terms of land uses and urban structure. Around the area there are mainly detached houses built in the first half of the 20th century. Similar types of detached house areas are located in several parts around theTurku city centre. As the city grows, the development and infill of these areas is a topical issue in Turku’s urban planning. The Europan 18 competition for the Vähäheik- kilä area seeks examples of possible approaches to the future development of these areas.
Between the housing estates, a strip of undeveloped land and small industrial buildings remains in the competition site, partly unplanned and unfinished in appearance. Among small industrial plots there is a green area, once reserved for a potential road which is no longer needed. The competition area lacks a common identity that would link its parts into a whole.
In the project site, the height of the terrain varies mainly quite gently. However, next to the site there are also two steep rocky hills that rise like islands from the low clay terrain.The landscape is mainly semi-open with some wooded areas.The competition site serves as an important stormwater route. The urban stream runs at present mostly in
an underground pipe. It collects water from an extensive catchment area. At present, the risk of flooding is high in the competition area. Stormwater detention and controlled management is essential to allow infill development in other parts of the catchment area. The aim is to restore parts of the underground pipe with an open stream and ponds to increase biodiversity and reduce the risk of flooding.

QUESTIONS TO THE COMPETITORS

Transforming the area reserved for an unbuilt street, alongside the small industry plots and adjacent undeveloped wasteland, provides a unique opportunity to create a new central urban space for the entire Vähäheikkilä area.The area currently lacks a cohesive urban structure. How can the site be better integrated with the surrounding neighbourhoods and the city centre?
Stormwater management solutions should be a key element of the design of the new public urban spaces.With Turku preparing for climate change, ecological solutions are vital. Urban nature should be qualitatively improved, focusing on increasing biodiversity in greenfield areas and preserving valuable meadows.
The area should be functionally diverse. How can the site balance business, industry, education, and mixed housing in a sustainable manner? What form will new housing and services take in this small-scale neighborhood? What is the future of the industrial halls in terms of resources and mixed-use potential? Can some of these halls be preserved or the structures reused and repurposed? The goal is not high-density development but rather an emphasis on enhancing the site’s overall quality.