Suvela neighbourhood renewal is a long-term housing and urban development effort in Suvela, Espoo, Finland, led by the City of Espoo and municipal housing company Espoon Asunnot Oy. The two organisations received the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA) “housing pioneer” award in 2023 for their sustained work to renew the area and improve affordable housing. 1
The work began in 2013 with the Suvelan Onni plan project, developed through cooperation between the city and Espoon Asunnot. Its aims included improving the neighbourhood’s appearance and sense of community, broadening the mix of housing tenures, and improving walking and cycling links between Suvela and Espoo station with a new footbridge. 1 The renewal has included changing the local plan, demolishing ageing housing that had reached the end of its lifecycle, and replacing it with energy-efficient buildings better suited to residents’ housing needs. The collaboration also involved NAL Asunnot and Avara Oy, and sought to balance the area’s housing ownership mix. 1
City Planning Manager Liisa Ikonen described Espoon Asunnot’s vision as central to the project. The article names Housing Manager Anne Savolainen, Project Director Mikko Kivinen and Ikonen as the city representatives who accepted the award. 1 ARA Director General Hannu Rossilahti said the renewal could offer an example for efforts to reduce or prevent segregation elsewhere. 1
The renewal has also received local recognition: the Kirstinharju block in Suvela won the City of Espoo’s HURRAA! prize in February 2023. The article says development in Suvela will continue, including plans for a new Kirstinsilta bridge. 1