Elected officials in the municipalities of the Helsinki region can influence not only the affairs of their municipality but also regional matters. Decisions that extend beyond municipal borders can be highly significant, yet few candidates prioritize regional issues in their campaigns. Both during election work and afterward, the internal affairs of the municipality and the interests of one’s immediate circle can easily consume a council member’s attention. Tiina Pasuri, Leading Policy Advisor at the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, reminds us that the metropolitan area can thrive only through cooperation between municipalities.
Regional solutions play a crucial role in land use and transport planning. People and goods move within the metropolitan area regardless of municipal boundaries, and many businesses operate across multiple municipalities. No municipality thrives in isolation—it requires the support of a network formed by neighboring municipalities. Only through collaboration can the region’s municipalities create an attractive and competitive whole.
The joint land use, housing, and transport (MAL) planning in the Helsinki region set long-term regional measures, with the latest plan extending until 2040. MAL planning and agreements made with the state have promoted infrastructure projects, densification of urban structures, and housing production. However, some key projects have primarily progressed on paper. Municipalities compete for projects perceived as beneficial for their areas, while no municipality wants to take responsibility for projects with negative impacts.
There are plenty of examples of the ”Not in My Backyard” phenomenon among municipalities.
There are plenty of examples of the ”Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon among municipalities. New residents are welcome as good, tax-paying citizens—let another municipality invest in social housing and accommodate those in need. Why should we build a park-and-ride facility primarily used by residents of other municipalities? We want better rail transport services and the land-use opportunities a rail corridor brings, but we don’t want the train depot that rail transport requires. There is a dire shortage of rest stops for heavy traffic in the region, but suitable areas are deemed more useful for other, more profitable purposes.
Newly elected council members should recognize the importance of regional cooperation. A certain level of self-interest is sometimes justified, but an internationally attractive metropolitan area can only be built through collaboration. Short-term local optimization may be tempting, but it lacks foresight. Land use and transport planning should aim for a comprehensive approach where both the benefits and the burdens are shared collectively.
Local Decisions Can Have Nationwide Impacts
Sometimes, municipal decision-makers determine issues that, while technically within one municipality’s jurisdiction, have far-reaching regional or even national consequences. Helsinki has seen several such cases in recent years.
For example, the boulevardization of Helsinki’s main entrance roads, introduced in the city’s master plan process, completely disregarded its impact on surrounding municipalities. After the Supreme Administrative Court overturned the plan concerning four major roads, the city is still planning to densify land use along Länsiväylä and Lahdenväylä, despite its restrictive effects on traffic connections. Likewise, limiting cross-town car traffic in the city center solely to the Esplanade streets is a decision with wider implications.
A responsible elected official weighs decisions from all perspectives—not just those of their municipality. Developing the Helsinki region requires bold decision-makers who are willing to advance the common good of the entire area, even when it means compromising on matters important to their municipality or personal interests.
