Project: Envisioning the Future of Turku's center.

Project Website:https://www.turku.fi/en/vision2050

References: https://www.lunden.co/project/envisioning-the-future-of-turkus-centre/ 
                    https://www.markkuwilenius.fi/blogit/2017/9/13/envisioning-the-future-of-a-city


Project Description:



Turku 2050 is an ambitious vision for the centre of Turku, Finland’s largest western city, conceived by Lundén Architecture Company in collaboration with a multidisciplinary city-initiated vision group.

The project aims to strengthen the attractiveness of the city centre as well as provide a concrete roadmap that will permanently improve the vitality, liveliness and comfort of the growing centre. The centre currently serves as the most important place for work, trade and culture. By building on Turku’s unique identity and strengths, Turku is on its way to becoming a world-class global city.


The vision takes a human-centered approach to the development of the city centre as changing lifestyles increase demand for high quality public spaces. The human-based urban structure requires a new kind of balance between different modes of movement. The city core should only be for pedestrians, bicycles and public transport. This has been a strong starting point for a human-friendly city that is liveable.
Expanding the centre’s commercial heart and transportation system are important parts of the vision, which aim to stimulate development and centralize investments. The existing structure of Turku’s core was heavily influenced by Carl Ludvig Engel’s grid plan.



In the vision, the commercial centre expands from the Market Square to the riverside and towards the harbour. The Market Square is transformed into a multipurpose meeting place and acts as a vibrant centre of events. One third of the square is converted into an urban park, breaking up the scale of the vast square and strengthening the connection to Turku’s historic Orthodox Church. The remaining two thirds of the square, enhanced with water features and permanent pavilions, remains open for the existing public market and various temporary events. The blocks surrounding the Market Square form a connected shopping centre network and can be developed to accommodate new businesses, offices and housing.
The accessibility within the centre is improved by streamlining the traffic and transport systems, and redefining the streetscape. The new transit hubs will help revitalize multiple junctions in the centre and bring people to the expanded areas of the new core. In addition, the streets within the core will gradually be converted into pedestrian, bicycle and new walking bridges.


So as Turku’s core expands, different interventions have been proposed to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants. The large unified park and pavilions create a green oasis within the old city.
Situated on the eastern shore of the Aura River is an attractive riverside promenade where new cultural hybrids merge together culture, work and dining. An intimate square is set in front of the City Theatre and a new route to the Samppalinna Windmill leads to the Paavo Nurmi Stadium and Sports Park. In the years to come, the existing parks will become an integral part of everyday city life. The connection between the sports park and riverside running through Itsenäisyydenaukio Square is an approach that connects the park to the city, which could be adapted and applied to other parks. Humalistonkatu street extends Samppalinna’s cultural connection to the railway and creates a new sport and entertainment east-west axis. New forms of downtown housing and businesses can also be found in these cultural areas.

 The project will not only offer greater development possibilities within the centre, but on both sides of the Aura River towards the harbour. Water elements, wood construction and various green solutions combined with nature and culture will create a truly unique identity for Turku.

 In my opinion, the vision that Turku 2050 created, is very interesting and very important for the growth of the city.

Starting with the infrastructure, that works like a circle and allows to enter the center by using the public transport and it creates pedestrians, cycling transport and new walking bridges. Making the city more walkable and easy to live in because of less pollution, less traffic and giving you more green spaces with fresh air.

Also, I like the idea of the human-friendly environment because it brings you closer to the city especially when it offers you security, green spaces, pedestrians, clean air and work places.
And last but not least, the ‘new city’ will be identified by its natural elements, like the Aura River and the different ‘green solutions’ for the infrastructure and the combinations of the nature with the culture.
I can say that in some years the River of Tirana will also be a new center for Tirana. And for sure many of the solutions of Turku’s project would easily be part of Tirana’s riverside project. 


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