Urban development

City view

Cities are the engines of growth, wellbeing and sustainable development in Finland and significant sources of resources, competence and innovations. Urbanisation in Finland continues, but it is transforming and diversifying. Cities are important to their larger surrounding functional areas.
The strengths of cities should be tapped into to reinforce impact. Finland is a small country, where renewal requires that the objectives of cities and the State are aligned for the same goals. It calls for partnership and effective setting of targets.

Urban development is promoted both at EU level and nationally through various measures. Cities are encouraged to actively seek and participate in urban development programmes provided by the EU.

The ministries’ urban policy measures are coordinated and developed by the Urban Policy Committee.

Further information: Katja Palonen, Chief Specialist, katja.palonen(at)gov.fi and Olli Voutilainen, Senior Specialist, olli.voutilainen(at)gov.fi