Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2014 | Page 54

Maximising Momentum
New Growth Corridor strategy takes Turku to another level
There is a strong Growth Corridor emerging along E18 motorway from Turku to Helsinki and onwards to St. Petersburg.
The key hub in the master plan is Turku, centrally located on the southwest coast, which has great connections to both
Stockholm (via sea) and Helsinki. New growth contract with the State – first of its kind – will help focus appropriate
resources to the development of the Growth Corridor.

J

ouko Turto, Director of Turku Municipal Property Corporation, points out that
the growth contract with the State represents a significant strategic move:
“The growth contract is the only agreement of this kind that is launched under present Government’s reign,” he says, pointing
out that the contract goes way beyond mere
logistics in its scope:
“The Growth Corridor means that we
have people, goods and expertise on the
move – and real estate development is used
as a tool to strengthen the corridor.”

Competitive Edge
Under the Growth Contract, Turku Region aims to enhance its competitiveness,
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develop community structure in a sustainable way and safeguard social cohesion.
The set targets will be achieved in collaboration with the State and neighbouring municipalities.
Both the City of Turku and the Government recognise that the full potential of
the Growth Corridor will require some retooling with existing infra and city structure.
For the City, there is a stated interest to keep
developing the role of key industries – such
as biotech / Life Sciences, ICT and marine –
and get the universities and research organisations to commit fully to the master plan.
According to the vision, the Growth
Corridor is to become a platform which will
allow companies to explore innovations –
ranging from digital media to cleantech –

and create market opportunities through pilot projects and cooperation.

Perfect Timing
Jouko Turto believes that the timing for the
Growth Corridor strategy is an excellent
one, since there are various underdeveloped
areas within city limits that are being freed
from former activities – and can now be utilised to launch innovative, diverse business.
But it’s not only business interests that matter here:
“We want to promote the cause of
urban culture, recreation and versatile residential solutions, as well. All these things
are linked in a variety of ways,” he says,
pointing out that the City has a strategy to