The City of Helsinki is planning to transform Kaivokatu Street and the areas surrounding Helsinki Central Railway Station into a more inviting urban space.

Around a quarter of a million people cross Kaivokatu daily, making it one of the busiest urban spaces in the Finnish capital. However, surveys indicate that the area is often perceived as noisy, rushed, unpleasant, and hard to navigate.

To address these issues, MASU Planning and the City of Helsinki have created a development plan.

The plan is currently under political review, and some of the main objectives are to:

• Create a more beautiful and representative entrance that will become a destination in its own right while connecting the area to its surroundings.
• Implement green street surfaces and add trees to manage stormwater, lower temperatures during heatwaves, and reduce the strength of wind gusts.
• Reduce traffic noise and pollution.
• Provide ground-level businesses with spaces to utilize the street area.
• Enhance the facade of the Ateneum National Gallery and bring art into the street space.
• Ensure that crossing Kaivokatu is fast and effortless for pedestrians.
• Streamline the tram system with an easily accessible terminal area.
• Create a safe and smooth transit space for bicyclists.