Kangas

About

Kangas is located near the centre of Jyväskylä, where innovation and business have a long-standing tradition going back as far as the 19th century. A paper mill, which acts as the central point of departure for the current redevelopment of the area, was opened in 1874. The mill has been essential for the economic and social development of Jyväskylä. When it closed down in 2010, it was acquired by the City of Jyväskylä. [3]

In 2011, an elaborate redevelopment plan for the area was initiated by the City of Jyväskylä. A programme was launched to collect ideas from local inhabitants, as well as an open architectural competition. At the end of 2013, The City Council approved the master plan for Kangas. Two detailed plans, one in regards to the Old Paper Mill and one in regards to Piippuranta (a residential area), were accepted in 2014 and 2015. Construction of the first (residential) buildings started in 2016. The initiative aims to be the home of at least 5000 people and 2100 new jobs by 2040. [2] At least 10% of living accommodation is oriented towards large families with children, and 30% towards different forms of supported housing, including social housing, communal housing and housing for senior citizens. [3] As of 2020, 1.000 residents and 1.000 employees were already living and working in Kangas. [5]

The former paper mill is now a creative campus used by educational institutions. Around that, new developments are taking shape that combines living, working, and leisure functions, all inspired by the area’s industrial character. The buildings will be connected through a set of interconnected courtyards, making the neighbourhood green and pedestrian-friendly. [1;2]

Kangas is to become a resource-smart district in which smart-city solutions and new types of intelligent services are tested, developed and implemented to increase liveability and sustainability. The area is designed around the One Planet Living approach, a framework that considers social, environmental and economic sustainability. [2] Furthermore, 1% of building costs are allocated to culture in the form of arts and events, making Kangas a potential creative and cultural hotspot. [2;3]

Governance

In 2010, the City of Jyväskylä acquired the Old Paper Mill, which now sits at the centre of the redevelopment of Kangas. In total, the City of Jyväskylä owns 30 hectares of the redevelopment area, with an additional 20 hectares included in the master plan being owned by private partners. [4]

The City of Jyväskylä has led the development of the area since 2010. The initial idea for the development of Kangas was piloted through an EU-funded project, after which the municipality initiated a process that included knowledge institutions, enterprises, government and civil society to gather ideas about development. [3]

Local inhabitants were extensively consulted through various participatory methods, including an open web-based forum, 14 workshops, consultations in public spaces and digital storytelling. The City of Jyväskylä was supported in this by Hub Jyväskylä, an open Collaborative Workspace. An open competition was also held to gather ideas for the area Masterplan, which was won by Schauman & Nordgren Architects [1;3;4] Next to that, the local university as well as several (high-tech) businesses are active in the design and implementation of the project in regards to smart city aspect of the development. [2]

Business Model

The total investments necessary to bring this vision of Kangas into life are estimated at €1 billion. [2;3] A combination of the public budget, including funds from the City of Jyväskylä as well as EU-funds and private investments, is utilised. Public-private partnerships are developed between the City of Jyväskylä and private investors for specific projects. [3;6]