Helsinki will begin construction of summer streets in Kallio, Sörnäinen and Alppiharju on 20 April, as the city extends pedestrian areas and changes traffic routes across three streets.
Work will start around Karhupuisto and move in phases across Porthaninkatu, Fleminginkatu and Vaasankatu. These streets will shift to shared-use zones where pedestrians hold priority and vehicle speed is limited to 20 kilometres per hour.
City officials said the scheme builds on a trial launched in 2025, when footfall and time spent in the area rose during the summer period.
The city recorded higher use of public space and reported that residents spent more time outdoors.
The construction will focus on converting roadside parking into space for seating, planting and public use. Workers will install benches, swings and other fixtures without altering the street structure. The approach allows the city to reverse the changes at the end of the season.
Fleminginkatu will close to motor traffic near Karhupuisto. Other streets in the scheme will follow shared street rules, with parking allowed only in marked areas.
The city said the aim is to improve public space and increase time spent outdoors. The project also seeks to support local activity by making streets easier to walk through and use.
Initial work will include marking boundaries, moving street furniture and building a play area. Most construction will take place on weekdays between 07:00 and 18:00. Some work will occur at night or during weekends to reduce impact on traffic.
Access to homes and businesses will remain open during the project. The schedule depends on weather conditions in spring, with updates released each week on the city’s website.
A stage will return between Karhupuisto and Kallio Library. The structure is due for completion in mid-May and will open for public bookings through the city’s online service.
Planting will begin in June, with the aim of completing the areas by 12 June, marked as Helsinki Day. The planting is expected to reach peak growth later in the summer.
The streets will remain in use from May until the end of September. After this period, traffic arrangements and street layouts will return to their previous form.
The contractor for the project is the city-owned construction service Stara.
The summer street model forms part of a two-year trial. The city has tested similar changes in other districts, including Kaartinkaupunki in the south.
Officials said the model allows the city to test changes without long-term construction. Data from the first year will inform future decisions on street use.
HT
