The Helsinki region is growing and becoming more compact. Growth will be achieved by building on the existing urban structure and a sustainable transport system. These are some of the principles included in the draft MAL 2023 plan for land use, housing and transport. The Executive Board of HSL decided to circulate the draft MAL 2023 plan for comments on 28 March 2023. An updated impact assessment report will be available after 17 April 2023.
The main objective of the plan is to make the Helsinki region carbon neutral, healthy and successful. “With the MAL 2023 plan, we are building a region where present and future residents can live happy lives and where day-to-day travel is smooth. At the same time, we need to respond to growth in a sustainable way and ensure good conditions for business and other actors. We need the cooperation of the entire Helsinki region and all parties involved especially in order to achieve our emission reduction targets,” says Sini Puntanen, the Director responsible for work on MAL 2023 at HSL.
400,000 more residents by 2040
The Helsinki region is expected to grow from its current 1.5 million inhabitants to almost 2 million inhabitants by 2040.
The plan responds to this challenge by constructing 16,500 dwellings per year. New construction will be mainly directed to existing areas, relying on centers and rail transport to enable a more compact urban structure.
The measures set out in the MAL plan aim at developing high-quality, diverse housing options for the needs of the residents of the Helsinki region. Neighborhoods that are at risk of lagging behind will be vigorously reformed.
Exploiting the existing public transport network
A sustainable transport system plays a key role in the MAL 2023 plan. Public transport relies on the trunk route network, primarily on rail transport. It is essential that we ensure the functioning of the current public transport system. Therefore, the projects included in the plan include the implementation of commuter train depots, major upgrades of train stations and the renewal of the metro train control system. Road network is developed taking into account the needs of freight transport and rest areas are built for heavy goods vehicles to ensure the performance of logistics.
Walking and cycling are also an important part of a sustainable transport system. The missing sections of the regional main cycling network and improvements to the network are included in the plan.
Predicting the future exceptionally challenging
The MAL 2023 plan has been developed amidst huge global turmoil. The Covid pandemic, war in Ukraine and the sharp inflation of the past year have made it more difficult to predict the future.
The region is expected to continue to grow and we need a range of measures to mitigate the climate change. The means and measures set out in the plan are not enough to achieve the carbon dioxide reduction targets set. Those asked to comment on the draft plan are also asked for suggestions on measures to achieve the goals.
The Executive Board of HSL decided to circulate the draft MAL 2023 plan and its impact assessment for comments. The draft plan will be open for comments and contributions 3 April to 25 May 2023. An updated impact assessment report will be available after 17 April 2023.
What is MAL planning?
- The Helsinki region land use, housing and transport plan, MAL 2023, is a strategic plan for the 14 municipalities in the Helsinki region. (MAL comes from the Finnish words for land use, housing and transport.) The plan sets out a common target of the region’s municipalities for the development of the region until 2040 and creates a vision until 2060. The plan also includes a statutory transport system plan.
- An important part of the planning is an impact assessment to ensure that the planned measures are effective and take the Helsinki region in the desired direction.
- MAL planning is carried out on a four year cycle. Municipalities are responsible for planning of land use and housing, while HSL is responsible for the Helsinki region transport system plan and the impact assessment of the MAL plan.
- The Helsinki Region Cooperation Assembly (HSYK) and the municipalities in the region will decide on the land use and housing sections of the plan. The transport system section of the plan will be approved by HSL Executive Board for its member municipalities and for other municipalities by the KUUMA Board and the municipalities concerned.