Transport planning principle towards sustainable modes of transport
Published on 23 March 2018
Finland
Helsinki-Uusimaa
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Helsinki and its metropolitan region are growing rapidly. As the urban structure densifies, the need for mobility increases, but the space available for traffic does not grow. The dense structure requires an efficient transport system that is able to move as many people and goods as possible in as small a space as possible. In order to manage transportation in the growing city, more and more journeys are to be done using efficient and space-saving modes - walking, cycling and public transport.
The general principle of transport planning is to serve the needs of the walkers first and next the needs of cycling, public transport, freight transport and passenger cars in this order. This is the basis for all land use and transport planning in Helsinki.
These objectives and policies of Helsinki's transport system are defined in the Helsinki Transport Development Program. The position and progress of sustainable modes of transportation is ensured through political will. The city council approved the program in 2015, made it valid to all city and binding it to all departments and sectors, including the budget. This way the measures will be included to action plans.
This planning principle follows the targets of Helsinki Region Transport System Plan. Main stakeholders are all sectors and city planners and Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). This will benefit residents by reducing congestion, emissions and improving air quality and helps to meet climate targets.
The general principle of transport planning is to serve the needs of the walkers first and next the needs of cycling, public transport, freight transport and passenger cars in this order. This is the basis for all land use and transport planning in Helsinki.
These objectives and policies of Helsinki's transport system are defined in the Helsinki Transport Development Program. The position and progress of sustainable modes of transportation is ensured through political will. The city council approved the program in 2015, made it valid to all city and binding it to all departments and sectors, including the budget. This way the measures will be included to action plans.
This planning principle follows the targets of Helsinki Region Transport System Plan. Main stakeholders are all sectors and city planners and Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). This will benefit residents by reducing congestion, emissions and improving air quality and helps to meet climate targets.
Resources needed
Obeying this planning principle will be implemented mainly by using internal human resources. It will be hard to calculate internal work in planning processes but will probably comprise several hundreds of man-hours.
Evidence of success
This planning principle ensures sustainable modes of transport in growing city. It reduces congestion, noise, emissions and air quality problems and helps to meet the climate targets. International BEST-research shows that public transportation is very popular among residents in Helsinki. New measures have been implemented towards sustainable transport system, like the city bike system and investments on new trams and electric buses.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practise helps metropolitan areas and bigger cities in shift towards more sustainable transportation, especially by creating facilities for walking and cycling. A very high level political decision and commitment to sustainable transportation ensures that the planning principle is obeyed in every level of planning. Inclusion to the budget will concretise these plans step by step.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Regional Council of Uusimaa
Finland
Helsinki-Uusimaa
Contact
Project Manager