Helsinki

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1. Regeneration and housing · 5 NOV 2026

   Helsinki's new building regulations cap plot coverage and require bird-safe construction

   Helsinki's new building regulations took effect on 5 November 2026, capping built coverage on detached and semi-detached house plots at 35% unless the local plan says otherwise and making bird-safe construction a requirement.

   Facts and source

   • The new building regulations apply to all matters initiated on or after 5 November 2026.
   • Buildings, constructions and terraces on detached and semi-detached house plots may cover no more than 35% of the plot, unless the local detailed plan says otherwise.
   • Bird-safe construction is a new provision intended to reduce the number of birds hitting building walls and windows.

   Source: Helsinki city hall, “Helsinki’s instructions for builders updated – the new building regulations took effect on 5 November 2026”

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2. Inclusion · 4 NOV 2026

   Helsinki approves 2026–2029 action plan to prevent substance use and gambling harms

   Helsinki's Culture and Leisure Committee approved a 2026–2029 Action Plan for Substance Use Prevention on 3 November 2026, covering alcohol, drugs, tobacco, nicotine, gambling and online gaming, with seven focus areas and training for sports clubs and coaches.

   Facts and source

   • The Culture and Leisure Committee approved the Action Plan for Substance Use Prevention on 3 November 2026.
   • The plan covers alcohol, drugs, tobacco and nicotine products, as well as gambling and online gaming.
   • Sports clubs, coaches and instructors will receive training on substance use, early identification and respectful encounters.

   Source: Helsinki city hall, “Helsinki strengthens substance use prevention with new action plan”

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3. Talent and innovation · 3 NOV 2026

   Helsinki's Arabia circular economy hub ends after building network of over 100 operators

   Helsinki has ended its two-year Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki project, which ran the ARKI 135 hub, held 30 public events and two business programmes, and built a network of more than 100 operators that now feeds the city's circular construction cluster.

   Facts and source

   • The two-year project built a network of more than 100 circular economy operators.
   • The project organised 30 public events and two business development programmes.
   • Circular economy in construction is one of five fields where Helsinki will make special growth investments in the strategy period.

   Source: Helsinki city hall, “The circular economy hub in Arabia compiled a network of over 100 operators – work with circular economy continues”

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4. Inclusion · 29 OCT 2026

   Helsinki puts around 3,000 immigrants through year-long integration training annually

   Helsinki Employment Services puts around 3,000 jobseekers a year through roughly year-long integration training in Finnish or Swedish, and nearly nine in ten participants with a higher education degree reach at least language level B1.1.

   Facts and source

   • Around 3,000 jobseekers take part in Helsinki's integration training every year.
   • Nearly nine in ten participants with a higher education degree reach at least language level B1.1.
   • Ten years on, participants in integration services earned around 47 per cent more than a control group.

   Source: Helsinki city hall, “Around 3,000 immigrants take part in Helsinki’s integration training each year – the benefits extend to the next generation”

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5. Talent and innovation · 27 OCT 2026

   Helsinki moves 2026–2029 migration and integration programme into implementation

   Helsinki has moved its 2026–2029 Development Programme for Migration and Integration into implementation, aiming to attract, settle and retain international talent as its roughly 150,000 residents of foreign origin are forecast to grow by almost 100,000 by 2045.

   Facts and source

   • The City Board's Economic Development Sub-committee approved the 2026–2029 programme on 22 June.
   • Helsinki has around 150,000 residents of foreign origin, 22 per cent of its population.
   • The 'Welcome Families' activities in Kannelmäki, Malmi and Mellunkylä will be extended to new neighbourhoods.

   Source: Helsinki city hall, “Helsinki seeks growth through international talent”

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City briefs are drafted with AI from official sources; every fact is matched automatically against the source text before publication, without an editor approving it first.

Projects we track

6 projects · 1 completed · 2 under way

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Töölönlahti flood protection

  A new bridge, flood gates and pumping stations are being built to prevent flooding in Töölönlahti Bay; the site won Helsinki's Roadwork Site of the Year 2026 and is due to be completed in autumn 2027.

  Climate and energy

  Status checked 23 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Street charging points for electric cars (the 'Helsinki model')

  New rules let operators rent city parking spaces for charging: a first phase of 61 stations with 275 charging points, applications opening in December 2026 and the points due in place during 2027, more than 50% more public charging points.

  Mobility

  Status checked 23 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  AI documentation assistant in health and social services

  An AI assistant that drafts documentation from the conversation during an appointment, tested in physiotherapy and occupational therapy since summer 2026, is being extended in October to student health services, dental care and social services; it does not store data or train on it.

  AI and technology

  Status checked 23 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Kamppi Health and Wellbeing Centre

  The eight-storey building over Kamppi metro station was completed on 15 September 2026, more than a year ahead of schedule; the new metro entrance was due to open on 12 October and health services start in spring 2027.

  Regeneration and housing

  Status checked 23 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Malmi indoor skatepark and recreation hall

  The unused Malmi ice hall is being turned into a temporary 3,700 m² venue for skateboarding, scootering, BMX, dance and street culture, opening partly around the turn of the year and fully in early 2027, and operating until about spring 2028.

  Culture

  Status checked 23 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids: eastern channel renovation

  A comparison of options concluded that renovating the eastern channel of the rapids, rather than demolishing the historic dam, is the best way to improve fish migration up the Vantaa River; plans are finalised and permitted, at an estimated cost of around €650,000.

  Budget about €650,000 (estimate) Climate and energy

  Status checked 23 October 2026 · Source

EU programmes and networks

• Eurocities · 1995 Eurocities Member since 1995; member of the Executive Committee for 2026–2029 ›
• Covenant of Mayors · 2009 EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Signatory (2030 commitments: mitigation, adaptation, energy poverty) ›
• EU Cities Mission EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 Participating city ›
• Programme EU Green City Accord Participating city ›
• Urban Innovative Actions Urban Innovative Actions: HOPE (Healthy Outdoor Premises for Everyone) Lead city of a UIA air-quality project (closed in April 2022) with an ERDF grant of €4,561,260 ›

From the archive

• City profile · May 2024 Helsinki: A Sea-Facing Haven of Design, Cuisine, and Happiness