General plan provides foundation for tram line expansion to Vuores district in southern Tampere

Published: Sep 9, 2025

Sweco’s designers have prepared the general plan for the tram line along the Vuoreksen puistokatu street, creating a basis for potential expansion of the tram in the 2040s. The biggest challenge is the complex and narrow street, Vuoreksen puistokatu, with its buildings.

Transport planning for Vuores tram line

An area reservation plan was made for the tram route in the Vuores district already in 2016, but the solutions presented therein are largely outdated. At that time, no parts of the Tampere Tramway had yet been built. In 2025, Sweco’s transport planners prepared an updated general plan for the Vuores tram line.

“The guidelines for tram line planning have changed significantly since the previous review, and experiences and lessons have also been learned through construction and operation,” says traffic expert Katri Jokela from the City of Tampere. The goal is to obtain a general plan for the Vuores tram that is comparable in content and quality to other sections.

Utilizing Tampere Tramway design experience in Vuores

According to Jokela, the 3.5 km tram line along the street Vuoreksen puistokatu is challenging. Therefore, the general planning requires designers’ expertise, responsible approach, and creativity, especially in tight spots. “Sweco’s designers’ strength is their previous experience with the implementation design of Tampere Tramway, and our collaboration has been smooth.”

Sweco has been involved in all phases of the Tampere Tramway, including the latest Pirkkala-Linnainmaa alliance. “Our experts have a good understanding of what it takes to implement a high-quality tramway,” says Sweco’s project manager Mikko Suhonen.

Tram route to be fitted on curving street

Construction of the Vuores tram line is expected to begin in the early 2040s, so the future must be considered far ahead in general planning. Although land use along Vuoreksen puistotie has largely been developed according to approved town plans, there are still opportunities in some areas to influence street boundaries.

“One of them is the Vuores central block, where the tram line general plan is prepared in conjunction with the ongoing town plan amendment,” Jokela says. In the central block, it is possible to gain additional space for the street and tram through land use solutions. This will be necessary along the narrow boulevard, whose geometry is intricate. “Tram routing requires compromises, and it’s important to consider solutions more closely at this stage and identify risks and opportunities for expanding street space.”

Sweco’s traffic planning expert Venla Määttä has extensive experience in fitting trams into Tampere urban landscape. Space is rarely excessive in the built environment, and this particular strees is literally hindered by its curves and elevation differences.

“When the general plan is ready, the client will know what should be considered in further planning of the tram and area land use, especially in places where street space can still be modified.”

Vuores tram line stop locations are carefully selected

The tram line must fit the street area, leaving space for various driving, pedestrian, and cycling paths, as well as stormwater and green solutions. The general planning was preceded by thorough background work and comparisons of alternatives. The crucial choices are the locations of the stops.

“Three stops have been planned along Vuoreksen puistotie, one for every 3000 residents. This ensures that as many people as possible are within walking distance of a stop,” Suhonen says.

To ensure accessibility, the general planning utilized current population data and resident estimates, also considering the area’s service network. In addition to local shops, the tram should provide smooth access to places like Vuores school and sports park. Each stop requires a sufficiently straight area horizontally and vertically.

“The challenge is that the optimal stop location might have, for example, a bridge leading to a park or a roundabout,” notes Määttä. Conditions for tram routing are also set by stormwater management wetlands and dips, which are common in Vuores. CO2 emissions cannot be ignored: if a bridge needs to be widened due to a stop, raw material needs, such as concrete quantities, will increase.

Combining technical disciplines in Vuores tram line general planning

Määttä emphasizes collaboration between experts from different technical fields during the general planning. Transport and traffic planners engage in constant dialogue with Sweco’s street planners and track planners, jointly considering all relevant aspects.

“Our planning is aided by the expertise and participation of the City of Tampere and other expert groups in directing the planning. The city directs our work very professionally, and discussing issues is easy.”

Although solutions are still rough in the general plan, Sweco’s designers preliminarily consider technical systems such as power supply stations and their space requirements. Bridge planning is also needed to allow the tram to cross Särkijärvi lake, for example. Small but important roles are played by Sweco’s municipal engineering, geotechnical, and environmental planners.

“Vuores has natural values and ecological connections that the tram must not negatively impact,” says Suhonen. Space for nature is defined in cross-sections: “It practically means saving existing street trees and tram-side vegetation.”

Images: Pasi Tiitola, Tampere Tramway Ltd