Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2014 | Page 4

NORDICUM Real Estate Annual Finland Putting the FUN in ’functional’ What makes a star city? While not everybody would agree on the true characteristics of a great city, there are still some features that are deemed attractive to both companies and people. Helsinki, for instance, is no longer “the best kept secret in Europe” – and neither has it been for quite some time. “The pocketsized metropolis” has used savvy, not size, to capture the hearts and minds of a global audience. The banner year 2012 cemented Helsinki’s reputation as a World Design Capital and the momentum is only increasing. In this issue, the head of Guggenheim museum Richard Armstrong explains why he is adamant about launching a new world-class museum in Helsinki – and nowhere else. He marvels that even as he has been to Finland almost a dozen times by now, he runs into something new and exciting whenever he visits here. Still, Guggenheim is not the only ‘G-force’ making headlines in Finland. Google recently announced that it is doubling the size of its original investment in Hamina in Southeast Finland. With a price tag of EUR 450 million, the expansion of the Google data centre is the single biggest foreign investment in Finland – ever. More praise for Finland and Helsinki came from Australian Professor Peter Newman who is a pioneer in sustainable urban planning, and the transport specialist on the IPCC. Newman visited Helsinki after 20 years and was impressed how public transportation has developed, with low CO2 emissions and great accessibility topping the cake. Furthermore, Newman noted that Finland is committed to changing with the times. He used the Garden City of Tapiola – located in Espoo – as an example of a concept that is in need of an upgrade. According to Newman, the coming metro line will take Tapiola back to its roots as there will no longer be a need to own a car. The west-bound metro connection – currently the biggest infrastructure project in the land – has great significance in revitalising existing communities, but that is only a part of the true meaning of the metro. The new metro stations will launch a new wave of development in the vicinity of the stations and contribute to a more cohesive urban structure. That is not to say that “Fun & Functional” is something that can be only found in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. All around Finland one discovers cities with a progressive mindset that are using urban planning as a strategic tool. Often anchored in unique Finnish nature, there certainly are new solutions out there that merit a closer look. Publisher PubliCo Oy Pälkäneentie 19 A FI-00510 Helsinki Finland Phone [phone] [email protected] www.publico.com Editor-in-Chief Jussi Sinkko Editorial Coordinator Mirkka Lindroos Project Manager Paul Charpentier Contributors Merja Kihl Ari Mononen Sami J. Anteroinen Lutz Ehrhardt Language Editor Dialog Designs Graphic Design Riitta Yli-Öyrä Ad Sales Finland Mr. Paul Charpentier Phone [phone] Fax [phone] Sweden Mr. Johan Lindberg Phone [phone] Fax [phone] Germany Mr. Lutz Ehrhardt Phone [phone] Fax [phone] Cover Photo Photo: David M. Heald © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York Printed by PunaMusta, January 2014 Photographic and advertising material is sent at the owner’s risk. NORDICUM accepts no liability for loss or damage. NORDICUM promotes Baltic Sea area cooperation and free markets. NORDICUM is not affiliated with any political party or financial institution. ISSN-L 1236-3839 ISSN 1236-3839 (Print) ISSN 2242-9603 (Online) www.nordicum.com Sami J. Anteroinen Editor-at-Large PubliCo Oy is a member of The Finnish Periodical Publisher’s Association 2 Nordicum