The aim of the competition was to develop a master plan for the northern side of the railway tracks in Leppävaara, Espoo. The goal was to create a high-quality proposal in terms of architecture, urban structure and functionality, while strengthening the area’s identity and attractiveness. The master plan will guide detailed planning and phased implementation over the next 10–20 years.
Alongside the competition, the City of Espoo sought development partners for the area through a separate planning reservation process, which was integrated into the second phase of the competition. The competition results will serve as a key criterion in the allocation of planning reservations. The final decisions will be made by the City Board’s Business and Competitiveness Subcommittee.
The winning proposal connects the northern and southern sides of the tracks by introducing a deck structure over Turuntie, with residential and commercial uses both on the deck and on the northern side of the railway.
“The name Walk Around reflects the vision of our proposal. Our goal was to shape the central urban environment of Leppävaara into an area where it is easy to move around on foot or by bike. At the same time, the plan brings together the northern and southern parts of Leppävaara. We aimed to create a centre with a strong identity and engaging public spaces that function as a shared living room for residents and local actors, while fostering a sense of community,” says Vesa Jäntti, Architecture Director at ARCO.
