From Länsiväylä to Länsibulevardi; transformation of a highway into an urban boulevard in Helsinki

No Thumbnail Available

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

School of Engineering | Master's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi

Date

2010

Major/Subject

Yhdyskuntasuunnittelu ja kaavoitus

Mcode

A-36

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

111

Series

Abstract

This study and urban design project for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area proposes the transformation of 7, 5 km of roads and their adjacent un-built areas into an urban environment. This addition to the city is characterized by boulevard streetscapes, residential development and a waterfront recovered as part of the adjacent neighbourhood. The proposal is architecturally and socially relevant because of the ongoing construction of Helsinki's Metro extension underneath the whole length of the project area. The aim of this master thesis is to present an alternative design solution within the current plans to develop Koivusaari area in Helsinki and Keilaniemi area in Espoo, which both cities base on the consolidation and covering underground of existing highways. On the contrary, the design presented here is based on decreasing road capacity and on the transformation of the roads' character. In order to do so, this project combines the design of additional residential areas to the existing city structure with the design of an extended street network. The theoretical framework for this design work is found in the sustainable mobility approach to transport planning and in the civil movements that advocate for "liveable" streets (where the quality of public space and the predominance of pedestrians over cars is seen as indicative of a fair, socially inclusive city). The project area stretches along the sea between Helsinki central peninsula and to first periphery in the city of Espoo. It is defined by its proximity to the city centre, the presence of the highway, the sea landscapes, the discontinuity of the urban environment and a coast line that remains inaccessible to pedestrians. By comparing the characteristics of Länsiväylä highway with successful highway-to-boulevard transformation projects around the world, this study highlights the potential benefits of such urban project for the considered area and participates in the debate about how to manage spatially urban growth in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.

Description

Supervisor

Harris, Trevor

Keywords

highway-to-boulevard, Länsiväylä, Länsimetro, Helsinki Metropolitan Area, strategic urban project, sustainable mobility, transit oriented development

Other note

Citation