Vision for city of Joensuu 2040 emerged through a smooth process

The vision for Joensuu’s symmetrical city was updated through an inclusive and straightforward process that radiated a spirit of collaboration. Sweco’s consultants supported the creation of the vision for the second time. The new vision emphasizes the alliance between people, nature, and technology.

Vision for a City: Joensuu’s Symmetrical City Vision 2040

Sweco first helped the City of Joensuu create a vision for a symmetrical city in 2014. A decade later, the update was prompted by a new council term and major societal changes. “We wanted to look at the future with fresh eyes,” says Ari Varonen, Director of Urban Environment for Joensuu.

The city did not want to change its consulting partner because, according to Varonen, Sweco already had all the knowledge from the previous vision. Moreover, the earlier vision of a city with a vibrant downtown on both banks of the Pielisjoki River had been successfully realized in many respects. Local expertise was also an important reason to keep a familiar consultant.

“It is more than important that the consultant knows the area’s characteristics and strengths,” Varonen says. He also values proactivity: “Sweco took the initiative to make proposals, and we refined the final vision together in a very natural and interactive way.”

Consultant supported the city in vision work

Together, guidelines were outlined for housing, transportation, business, tourism, and recreation development. Sweco’s land use and sustainable tourism expert Kimmo Vähäjylkkä led stakeholder engagement for the second time. Joensuu is dear and familiar to him — and next year, 2026, it will also be his hometown.

“Although as an engineering firm we are good at designing streets, bridges, and high-rises, vision work is all about trust, communication, and interaction with people.”

The result was a concise vision backed by a broad knowledge base. Sweco’s team included landscape architects, land use planners, and project development specialists. For Vähäjylkkä, participation was key: “The most important thing is to meet many people from the city because our role is simply to support the city in producing the content of the vision.”

Joensuu’s vision themes found in harmony

According to Vähäjylkkä, city development affects both residents and business leaders. Both were involved through workshops and interviews. “Joensuu’s positive atmosphere is evident in the fact that even the busiest business leaders and heads of development associations and educational institutions made time for face-to-face interviews.”

Joensuu is a fresh and youthful city with the highest student ratio in Finland relative to population. That’s why young decision-makers were also heard during the vision process. “Joensuu has a long tradition of collaboration between the city, educational institutions, and businesses. For us, excellence means doing things together,” Varonen emphasizes.

He says the positive reception and smooth progress of the vision work were among the happiest aspects of the process — but not a surprise. “In stakeholder interviews and workshops, a shared view was easily found, and the vision themes were never questioned.”

City vision connects nature, people, and technology

Many of Joensuu’s strengths remain the same in the new vision as before. The vision emphasizes, for example, high-quality and safe living, world-class expertise, and North Karelian hospitality. Joensuu has a clear city center, with jobs and nature experiences nearby.

“In everyday life, everything should be close and functional — and Joensuu truly is a 15-minute city,” Vähäjylkkä says. The new vision includes Joensuu’s three key industrial areas, the Mehtimäki campus and sports park, and the Pyhäselkä waterfront. The port and its logistical opportunities also gained more weight.

In addition, sustainability is reflected in every theme. For example, housing will be densified instead of zoning farmland. “The city also invests in sustainable mobility, which does not exclude the essential car and air travel for regional accessibility.”

According to Varonen, the vision will continue to guide Joensuu’s development as a bold and growing city where people want to visit, live, and work. “The vision connects people, nature, and technology. It’s a circle that only gets better as it spins!”

Next, Joensuu and Sweco will continue their collaboration by preparing an action plan to ensure the vision is implemented in practice.
Photos: Lev Karavanov / City of Joensuu