Int´l idea competition opens for Malmi Lentoasemanpuisto

The site of the former Malmi Airport is going to become a recreational area dubbed Lentoasemanpuis (Airport Park) open to the public.

An international idea competition for Lentoasemanpuisto launched on Monday is expected to generate some innovative proposals that observe the unique cultural history and natural value of the area, said the City of Helsinki in a press release.

The competition period ends on 6 November, after which residents of Helsinki will have the chance to learn more about the competition proposals and to comment on them in the Kerrokantasi service. The competition results will be published in spring 2021.

The competition is being organised in cooperation with the Finnish Association of Landscape Architects (MARK).

A public event on the design of the park is planned for late summer for the residents of Helsinki, assuming that public events can be held again at that time.

The purpose of the competition is to find innovative and inspiring solutions that are also technically and economically feasible. Lentoasemanpuisto is set to become the central park of the new neighbourhood and it will carry great significance for the identity of the district which is still taking shape.

The master plan for the site of the former Malmi Airport is based on a comprehensive green network which connects the unique characteristics of the area such as runways, the open landscape and long vistas. The connections to the green areas nearby will be improved and a new green connection to the Kivikko area of the city will be built.

“The park is going to become a new and inviting recreational destination, which will attract visitors from all over Helsinki. The competition is organised to create a high-quality park in terms of landscape architecture for versatile recreational use for both the current and new residents of Malmi,” said Helsinki Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment Anni Sinnemäki, who also chairs the jury.