{"id":73880,"date":"2025-12-01T15:30:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T13:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?post_type=showroom_cpt&p=73880"},"modified":"2026-04-16T09:36:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T06:36:50","slug":"city-vision-joensuu-2040","status":"publish","type":"showroom_cpt","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/projects\/city-vision-joensuu-2040\/","title":{"rendered":"City vision – Joensuu 2040"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vision for city of Joensuu 2040 emerged through a smooth process<\/h1>\n

The vision for Joensuu\u2019s symmetrical city was updated through an inclusive and straightforward process that radiated a spirit of collaboration. Sweco\u2019s consultants supported the creation of the vision for the second time. The new vision emphasizes the alliance between people, nature, and technology.<\/em><\/p>\n

Vision for a City: Joensuu\u2019s Symmetrical City Vision 2040<\/h2>\n

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. \u201cWe wanted to look at the future with fresh eyes,\u201d says Ari Varonen<\/strong>, Director of Urban Environment for Joensuu.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is more than important that the consultant knows the area\u2019s characteristics and strengths,\u201d Varonen says. He also values proactivity: \u201cSweco took the initiative to make proposals, and we refined the final vision together in a very natural and interactive way.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Vision for a City: Project at a Glance<\/h2>\n

Joensuu\u2019s Symmetrical City Vision 2040<\/strong><\/p>\n

Client: City of Joensuu<\/p>\n

Services included: Development of the symmetrical city vision<\/p>\n

Year of implementation: 2025<\/p>\n

Key highlights: Growth target of 6,000 new residents, 3,000 new jobs, and \u20ac1.1 billion in investments; highest student ratio in Finland relative to populatio<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Consultant supported the city in vision work<\/h2>\n

Together, guidelines were outlined for housing, transportation, business, tourism, and recreation development. Sweco\u2019s land use and sustainable tourism expert Kimmo V\u00e4h\u00e4jylkk\u00e4<\/strong> led stakeholder engagement for the second time. Joensuu is dear and familiar to him \u2014 and next year, 2026, it will also be his hometown.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The result was a concise vision backed by a broad knowledge base. Sweco\u2019s team included landscape architects<\/a>, land use planners, and project development specialists<\/a>. For V\u00e4h\u00e4jylkk\u00e4, participation was key: \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joensuu\u2019s vision themes found in harmony<\/h2>\n

According to V\u00e4h\u00e4jylkk\u00e4, city development affects both residents and business leaders. Both were involved through workshops and interviews. \u201cJoensuu\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joensuu is a fresh and youthful city with the highest student ratio in Finland relative to population. That\u2019s why young decision-makers were also heard during the vision process. \u201cJoensuu has a long tradition of collaboration between the city, educational institutions, and businesses. For us, excellence means doing things together,\u201d Varonen emphasizes.<\/p>\n

He says the positive reception and smooth progress of the vision work were among the happiest aspects of the process \u2014 but not a surprise. \u201cIn stakeholder interviews and workshops, a shared view was easily found, and the vision themes were never questioned.\u201d<\/p>\n

City vision connects nature, people, and technology<\/h2>\n

Many of Joensuu\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn everyday life, everything should be close and functional \u2014 and Joensuu truly is a 15-minute city,\u201d V\u00e4h\u00e4jylkk\u00e4 says. The new vision includes Joensuu\u2019s three key industrial areas, the Mehtim\u00e4ki campus and sports park, and the Pyh\u00e4selk\u00e4 waterfront. The port and its logistical opportunities also gained more weight.<\/p>\n

In addition, sustainability is reflected in every theme. For example, housing will be densified instead of zoning farmland. \u201cThe city also invests in sustainable mobility, which does not exclude the essential car and air travel for regional accessibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Varonen, the vision will continue to guide Joensuu\u2019s development as a bold and growing city where people want to visit, live, and work. \u201cThe vision connects people, nature, and technology. It\u2019s a circle that only gets better as it spins!\u201d<\/p>\n

Next, Joensuu and Sweco will continue their collaboration by preparing an action plan to ensure the vision is implemented in practice.
\n\"AerialPhotos: Lev Karavanov \/ City of Joensuu<\/p>\n

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Please don\u00b4t hesitate to contact us!<\/h3> <\/div>\n
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