{"id":81087,"date":"2026-09-22T13:22:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T10:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?post_type=showroom_cpt&p=81087"},"modified":"2026-09-23T12:12:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:12:16","slug":"porvoo-pop-up-summer","status":"publish","type":"showroom_cpt","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/projects\/porvoo-pop-up-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Porvoo pop-up summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n \"Aerial \n\t
\n\t\t\t \n \n \n Contact \n Us <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t \n \n \n Discover our \n projects <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Porvoo pop-up summer square brings activity and community life to the city centre<\/h1>\n

The City of Porvoo has taken the first step towards revitalising its market square by creating a temporary summer destination offering activities, social spaces and new opportunities for young people. The project used recycled urban furniture, circular-economy solutions, and community-led design in the temporary market square. Sweco\u2019s landscape architects and urban planners worked closely with the city to turn young residents\u2019 ideas into reality.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n
\n

The visioning work for Porvoo city centre continued with the landscape design of a temporary pop-up market square<\/h2>\n

A temporary pop-up market square was quickly created in the heart of Porvoo<\/strong> for the summer of 2026, enhancing the attractiveness and vibrancy of the city centre. The city has long-term plans to redevelop the main market square, and in the meantime it wanted to provide activities and opportunities, particularly for young people.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wishes of young people emerged during the Porvoo City Centre Development Vision 2026-2035<\/em> project, in which we were responsible for urban planning,\u201d says Filemon Wolfram<\/strong>, Urban Planner at Sweco.<\/p>\n

Ideas for the content and activities of the pop-up market square were also gathered through a participatory budgeting survey<\/a> targeted at young residents in 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city wanted to do something for the market square right away, because young people are young now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Landscape architects supported the flexible planning of the pop-up square<\/h2>\n

With only a couple of months available to deliver the pop-up square, Sweco\u2019s landscape architects<\/a> embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Time was set aside for project coordination, as it was clear from the outset that the scope of the assignment could not be defined in detail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe focused on the desired outcome and adapted to the client\u2019s needs as the project progressed,\u201d says Wolfram. Sweco\u2019s experts also responded flexibly to emerging needs, for example by preparing the emergency plan required for the event.<\/p>\n

The client\u2019s wishes \u2014 and the means to deliver them \u2014 had to be identified quickly. \u201cWe contacted several different suppliers to map out solutions that could be implemented rapidly without having to excavate the asphalt surface,\u201d highlights landscape architect Sofia Tigerstedt.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Outdoor\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Outdoor\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Second-hand furniture enabled a cost-effective pop-up square<\/h2>\n

In addition to the tight schedule, one of the key requirements was that the summer square had to be delivered through low-cost measures. No separate budget was available, so the furniture was sourced second-hand, recycled or borrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found usable benches and planters in the city\u2019s storage facilities, while picnic table sets were rented,\u201d says Tigerstedt.<\/p>\n

Circular economy principles were also reflected in a chessboard made from concrete paving slabs. With support from the city\u2019s infrastructure team, young people refurbished large chess pieces found in storage. \u201cThey were originally too light, so they were filled with sand.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

The pop-up square brings young people\u2019s wishes to life<\/h2>\n

Young people hoped to have a basketball court at the square. Delivering it required balancing opportunities for play with traffic safety, as the summer square\u2019s public areas are located on both sides of the bus station. The court is situated in front of the Lund shopping centre, next to a cycle route.<\/p>\n

\u201cA creative solution was found for fencing the basketball court: concrete blocks from the city infrastructure depot provided a safe surface-mounted foundation for the fence,\u201d says Tigerstedt. The fencing can be dismantled after use and reused elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\"Kids<\/p>\n

The basketball enclosure proved to be one of the pop-up square\u2019s most popular features. \u201cThat is great, because young people have so far been underrepresented at the square,\u201d Wolfram says with pleasure.<\/p>\n

Children were also considered in the design. In Wolfram\u2019s view, urban planning<\/a> should leave room for children\u2019s creativity, meaning that expensive, ready-made play equipment is not always necessary. \u201cGround markings, colourful tables and climbable benches made the space itself playful and inviting for play.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pop-up summer square showcased Porvoo\u2019s community spirit<\/h2>\n

Porvoo was named Finland\u2019s City Centre of the Year in 2026, with collaboration between different stakeholders among the assessment criteria. The city\u2019s strong community spirit was also evident in the delivery of the pop-up square.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough the project did not clearly fall within anyone\u2019s specific remit, we succeeded in involving many people. Collaboration was smooth between our team, the client and the city\u2019s various stakeholders,\u201d says Wolfram.<\/p>\n

Tigerstedt particularly praises the city infrastructure team\u2019s practical, can-do approach. \u201cDespite the tight schedule, they took responsibility for the square\u2019s practical delivery, from procurement to refurbishing the furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s youth services contributed to developing the concept, and youth workers were on site in June to engage young people and lend out board games and outdoor games. The local 4H association, in turn, gave young people the opportunity to try market entrepreneurship and reserve market stalls.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, baked goods sold well among older visitors, making the square a bridge between generations,\u201d Wolfram adds. Rest and seating areas surrounded by summer flowers were enjoyed by people of all ages.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \t \t\t
\n \t\t\t

The first step in revitalising Porvoo market square<\/h2>\n \t\t<\/div>\n \t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t \t\t
\n\t \t\t\t

The first step in revitalising Porvoo market square<\/h2>\n\t \t\t<\/div>\n\t \t\t\t\t

Creating vibrant urban spaces is always a process rather than a one-off project, and Porvoo has now taken its first important step. \u201cI hope this creates a snowball effect and raises awareness that everyone is welcome to take ownership of urban space,\u201d says Wolfram.<\/p>\n

The city collected feedback, and many respondents supported continuing the experiment. There are hopes, for instance, to continue the basketball court and kiosk initiatives. Planning will continue together with young people, who would like to see features such as live music and a small performance stage at the square.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t\"Outdoor <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

Discover our projects<\/h3>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

Tampere passenger railway yard<\/h2>\n

Tampere\u2019s passenger railway yard<\/a> is being renewed to meet the needs of Finland\u2019s busiest rail transport hub. Sweco is responsible for the architectural design and lead design of the station area in a project that will improve the passenger experience, accessibility and the appeal of the station district as part of Tampere\u2019s wider urban development.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Ilmalankeidas \u2013 pop-up square<\/h2>\n

Ilmalankeidas<\/a> brought new vitality to Ilmalantori Square, which had seen little use. Delivered through collaboration between businesses, the city and urban landscaping professionals, the pop-up square increased urban greenery through circular-economy solutions and tested a new model for revitalising urban space.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Urban cycling continues to gain popularity<\/h2>\n

Helsinki\u2019s city bike<\/a> scheme has grown into one of the world\u2019s most widely used bike-sharing services. Sweco has been responsible for planning station locations since 2016 and has helped develop a service that supports sustainable mobility, public transport journeys and a more pleasant urban environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Ruskeasuo depot<\/h2>\n

The Ruskeasuo depot Sweco used BIM-based carbon footprint calculation in the Ruskeasuo depot project<\/a> to inform design decisions and support lower-carbon construction choices.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Guide to network asset management for water utilities<\/h2>\n

The long-term development of water supply and wastewater networks<\/a> requires knowledge-based asset management. Sweco prepared a guide for the Finnish Water Utilities Association to help water utilities manage the lifecycle of their networks, prioritise investments and safeguard the reliability of services in a changing operating environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Strategic Sustainability Consulting for urban development<\/h2>\n

Sustainable urban development requires strategic choices whose impacts are reflected in decision-making, investments and project delivery. Sweco’s strategic sustainability consulting<\/a> supports cities and municipalities in developing plans and measures for climate<\/a>, biodiversity<\/a>, resource-efficiency and circular-economy goals.\u00a0We support our clients with sustainability strategies, carbon<\/a> and sustainability management<\/a>, roadmaps, indicators and reporting<\/a>\u2014ensuring that targets do not remain on paper but guide everyday decisions.<\/p>\n

We support clients with sustainability strategies, carbon and sustainability management, roadmaps, indicators and reporting, and we help them prioritize measures based on impact, cost and feasibility.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
Explore our Sustainability Consulting services<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\t
\n\n
\n
\n

Contact Us!<\/h3> <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n \n
\n <\/div>\n\n
\n