Plans to build a large events centre in the Suvilahti district of Helsinki have drawn criticism from the skateboarding community, as the construction could sound the death knell for a popular DIY skate park.
"This [park] is quite unique in Finland. There is no other DIY park this big anywhere else. Even on a European scale, this is really significant," skateboarder Arttu Herva told Yle, adding that the park has been built by volunteers.
Herva is chair of an association which represents the skateboarders who use the Suvilahti Skatepark. In his view, the decision-making power in Helsinki is concentrated in such a way that citizens are unable to discuss what they want from the city — and what they are entitled to receive.
"Suddenly, commercial activity lands in an area where there is a completely different kind of activity. Sure, on paper everything is legal and correct, but is it right," Herva asked, adding that he hopes the popular park will remain in Suvilahti.
Helsinki City Council approved a zoning change application last month, which will allow the construction of a large entertainment centre, hotel and office space in the area called the Suvilahti Event Hub.
Suvilahti resident Pasi Jaatinen told Yle he is not in favour of the proposed construction plans.
"Do commercial interests always have to go first? Is there any chance to listen to the citizens more before decisions are made," Jaatinen noted.
The construction plans for the area also mean the popular Flow Festival will need to find a new home from next year, having been held in Suvilahti since 2007.
The gradual disappearance of free urban spaces around the capital region has been widely discussed on social media channels, with skateboarders receiving a lot of support for their opposition to the plans.
Helsingin Sanomat columnist Niclas Storås sharply criticised the city's planning ideology, which he argued is dominated by commercialism and grandeur.
Temporary skatepark on the way, city says
The Suvilahti Event Hub is fronted by the actor and presenter Mikko Leppilampi.
In an interview with Yle, Leppilampi said he knows many of the skatepark's activists from his own youth and he has encouraged them to start using a new skatepark in Hanasaari.
The construction plans cover some 47,000 square metres, with the city also hoping to provide a pedestrianised town-centre environment in the area.
The City of Helsinki has confirmed to Yle that the DIY skatepark in Suvilahti will have to be demolished to make way for construction of the events centre. However, the city added that a new, permanent skatepark could be built on the site vacated by the Hanasaari power plant in the late 2020s.
Until then, a temporary skatepark is planned for Hanasaari, in the former parking lot of the Helen power plant. This facility will have an estimated lifespan of five years, the city said in a press release.
Lauri Kuusanmäki told Yle he is concerned about the proposed changes to the Suvilahti area.
"From what I've seen on social media, the arena has evoked a lot of negative feedback. What kind of culture would come here, would it be mainstream," he said.
Local resident Sirpa Hytönen however said she welcomes the plans to build the event hub.
"I haven't looked closely at the plans for what the events centre would look like, but it can't be worse than the current one," she said, referring to the parking lot.
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