Lived, Material and Planned Welfare: Mass-Produced Suburbanity in 1960s and 1970s Metropolitan Finland

This chapter provides much-needed novel perspectives on the mass-produced suburbs of the 1960s and 1970s in Finland. By analyzing how first-generation suburbanites perceived and enacted their new environment, the chapter points out the multidimensionality of these seemingly monotonous environments. With their up-to-date apartments and environments built from scratch, the suburbs were key places where modernizing welfare Finland was lived. The discussion demonstrates that their thus far largely unrecognized experiential and aesthetic qualities emerged in the reciprocity of no-nonsense architecture, developed and undeveloped natural settings, and inhabitants. It shows the importance of undefined land beyond the reach of planning for the wellbeing of suburbanites. Finally, the chapter shows that in addition to designers, by their actions inhabitants shaped and made meaningful suburban environments.