An international ideas competition started off on 15 May 2019 in Viinikanlahti, a highly exciting area close to Tampere city centre. Competitors get to design a housing area of over 3,000 residents on the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi, as well as a leisure time environment for the locals and tourists. With a population of roughly 370,000, the sustainably growing Tampere is the largest inland city in the Nordic Countries and, together with the neighbouring municipalities, forms the second-largest urban area in Finland.
The aim of the ideas competition, which is open to all, is to create a new and ecologically sustainable city district that boasts high-quality architecture and meets the needs of the 21st century. The competition task is exceptionally interesting: the unique Viinikanlahti area has the most beautiful lake views in the centre of Tampere, but also involves environmental challenges. The size of the competition area (land and water) is roughly 0.4 hectares. The wastewater treatment plant currently operating in the area will be moved elsewhere. After the competition, both a master plan and a local detailed plan will be prepared for the area. The environment will be cleaned and the new city district constructed in phases between 2024-2035.
The international ideas competition is organised mainly digitally, and is expected to attract plenty of participants from Finland and abroad. A total of 165,000–345,000 euros will be awarded in prizes in the two-phased competition, the winner of which will be selected in April 2020. The competition is organised by the City of Tampere in cooperation with the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) and the Association of Finnish Landscape Architects (MARK).
The economy of the City of Tampere focuses on services and high-technology. Innovative, digital, and sustainable smart city solutions are being created in the region together with companies, research institutions, municipalities, and residents. The population of Tampere is increasing by over 3,000 residents a year. New construction is constantly being implemented in the area, and new ecological and low-emission solutions are needed to enable the carbon-neutral and sustainable growth of the city in accordance with its strategy.
Competition website
www.tampere.fi/viinikanlahti