Cosmopolis, integrating migrant communities into local environments in Helsinki

Abstract

Nowadays the high flow of population migrations from developing to developed countries is converging on most of the segregated areas in the urban environments. The grouping of these population groups that have gathered in specific locations are becoming physically and mentally segregated communities. Immigrant groups clustering in specific zones or neighbourhoods of cities make native residents to avoid or move out for various reasons causing mental barriers and bad reputation areas within urban contexts. In sub urban areas, this mental barriers are complemented by physical barriers, giving rise to mentally and physically segregated areas in developed metropolis.

Finland presents a great potential to develop multicultural urban environments, due to the existing social mixing policy. On the other hand, the vast inhabitant migration from rural areas in the 60’s (Vaattovaara et al. 2010) resulted in urgent need of housing buildings, developing high rise neighbourhoods in sub urban areas based on the modern model of a car-based city. This model is evidently problematic nowadays due to the various physical barriers, isolating this areas from urban life, therefore producing spatial segregation.

The main aim of the thesis is to study spatial segregation of neighbourhoods with high percentage of immigrant groups in Helsinki. Jakomäki, a suburb located on the northern borders of Helsinki, is chosen as a case study to develop a strategic proposal for better integration. There is a potential to integrate the suburb in parallel to the development of the capital city latest master plan; the developing of Malmi airport and the Boulevardization. The aim of this thesis is to integrate the physical space and the migrant communities in the local environment, in order to reach a cosmopolis. By taking in consideration urban goals established by UN Habitat Europe and the City of Helsinki, the project aims to impact at the urban, the district and the neighbourhood level; for triggering the development of the north part of Helsinki while benefiting local inhabitant communities and encourage mental and spatial integration.