Tuusula’s bold and distinctive Sustainability Concept for a new industrial area

Can an industrial area be energy self-sufficient while also being pleasant, functional and architecturally beautiful? In the Focus project, the Municipality of Tuusula is planning a large-scale industrial area, for which the sustainability concept was created together with multiple stakeholders under Sweco’s guidance. The concept places particular emphasis on social sustainability, from public art to wellbeing.

A Sustainability Concept for the world’s most beautiful industrial area

In the Focus project, Tuusula aims to develop one of the largest industrial areas in the Nordic countries, located in a strategically important area near Helsinki Airport. The municipality selected Sweco as its partner to develop the sustainability concept for the 5.5 square‑kilometre area.

“We wanted to explore, together with an external sustainability expert, what would be realistically possible for us as a municipality. Clear feedback from potential property owners and tenants was that sustainability should already be considered at the planning stage,” says Toni Popovic, Business Development Manager at the Municipality of Tuusula. “Later in the process, the opportunities for influence diminish.”

The vision is to make sustainability an integral part of the industrial area’s identity and narrative, and to attract responsible operators internationally. “The starting point for developing a world‑class sustainability concept was excellent, as the municipality owns most of the land,” says Tommi Lampikoski, Leading Consultant at Sweco.

The municipality’s ambition also impressed the consulting team. “From the very beginning, the goal was to build one of the world’s most visually beautiful industrial parks in Tuusula. That’s a pretty cool ambition!”

The concept development considered multiple perspectives, from energy self‑sufficiency and land use to infrastructure and mobility. Popovic appreciated Sweco’s broad expertise and the ability to balance idealism and realism. “Sustainability must be approached as a multidimensional whole.”

Sustainability solutions refined through stakeholder workshops

The sustainability concept was co‑created with around 20 different stakeholders. Participants in interviews and workshops included the Regional Council of Uusimaa, the City of Vantaa, and several circular economy and energy sector operators.

“The workshops were the most memorable part of the project, and many participants valued the opportunity to influence the area’s development early in the process,” Popovic says. Insights from the workshops have already shaped zoning decisions—for example, heavy vehicle charging stations were added based on participant requests.

Popovic was pleasantly surprised by the high level of engagement. Recruiting participants was not left solely to the municipality. “Sweco was very active in bringing people onboard, even using personal networks.”

In developing the concept, Sweco applied service design methods and its long-standing experience in sustainability solutions for industrial environments. According to Lampikoski, creating a world‑class concept was not simple, but collaboration made it possible.

“Working together with the municipality’s creative and dynamic team was genuinely inspiring. They also had a clear understanding of long-term realities, such as the extended timeline for building the area,” Lampikoski says. The selected sustainability solutions must remain relevant for years to come.

The Concept comes to life through an action plan

The workshops helped identify which sustainability solutions should be prioritised for the industrial area, and the most impactful ideas were compiled into an action plan. Popovic highlights the importance of social sustainability.

“This is often the most challenging aspect to implement in industrial areas, but we now have new ideas, such as shared-use facilities and an art programme—which is quite rare for business parks.”

The development also emphasises shared-use models, from meeting spaces to mobility services. Community-building is supported through non-commercial public spaces and recreational paths that can also be used by local residents.

“An industrial area can have activity and life beyond working hours,” Lampikoski notes. Visual quality plays a key role in employee wellbeing, supported by Scandinavian architecture and murals. “Tuusula has a long tradition in the arts.”

Circular economy principles will be applied during construction through the reuse of excavated materials, and the area’s infrastructure development incorporates advanced stormwater solutions.

“Tuusula is also a partner in a project promoting the use of native plant species in municipal green areas,” Popovic says. The area aims to develop a shared energy ecosystem that utilises waste heat. “Concept development is still in its early stages due to the complexity of agreements, but discussions are now underway.”

The project has received external funding through the EcoCore initiative under the EU’s URBACT IV programme. Implementation of the concept awaits further decisions as the planning process progresses.