Abstract
Demographic changes, including the age structure, have impacts on the resources municipalities have
available for providing services for their residents. In the majority of Finnish municipalities the population is
declining. According to the most recent population forecast, this trend will continue with only a few growth
centres in the future.
This report describes means to promote the viability of built-up areas with a shrinking population through
community and building planning when financial and other resources are scarce. The solutions are based
on case studies in a few participating municipalities. Some examples from international contexts are also
described. The solutions include reorganisation of services, more diverse use of buildings, more pedestrianfriendly urban centres and enhancing the sense of community. Inclusive planning should have an important
role in the development process. This means that communities are developed through a participatory process
in cooperation between the municipal residents, public officials, decision-makers and external experts.
For vibrant central built-up areas it is important to adapt the community structure to the changing needs in
service provision and the use of the building stock. Declining population also opens up new opportunities for
development, but realistic development paths are needed to make good use of these in built-up areas.
available for providing services for their residents. In the majority of Finnish municipalities the population is
declining. According to the most recent population forecast, this trend will continue with only a few growth
centres in the future.
This report describes means to promote the viability of built-up areas with a shrinking population through
community and building planning when financial and other resources are scarce. The solutions are based
on case studies in a few participating municipalities. Some examples from international contexts are also
described. The solutions include reorganisation of services, more diverse use of buildings, more pedestrianfriendly urban centres and enhancing the sense of community. Inclusive planning should have an important
role in the development process. This means that communities are developed through a participatory process
in cooperation between the municipal residents, public officials, decision-makers and external experts.
For vibrant central built-up areas it is important to adapt the community structure to the changing needs in
service provision and the use of the building stock. Declining population also opens up new opportunities for
development, but realistic development paths are needed to make good use of these in built-up areas.
| Translated title of the contribution | Development of built-up areas in municipalities with a shrinking population: Viable communities project |
|---|---|
| Original language | Finnish |
| Publisher | Ympäristöministeriö |
| Number of pages | 105 |
| Volume | 2020:21 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-952-361-248-8 |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Aug 2020 |
| MoE publication type | D4 Published development or research report or study |
Publication series
| Name | Ympäristöministeriön julkaisuja |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ympäristöministeriö |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 2490-1024 |
Keywords
- municipalities, built-up areas, demographic changes, service structure, buildings, community planning