Construction company YIT has secured a planning reservation from the Business and Competitiveness Subcommittee of the Espoo City Board in Finland to develop an area north of the Leppävaara centre.

This move paves the way for the development of the area based on a 'Walk Around' proposal, a collaborative effort by YIT, ARCO Architecture Company, and Ramboll, a design and consulting company, which emerged victorious in an idea competition.

The winning proposal envisions a high architectural quality area designed to be a centre offering services, housing, jobs, events, and recreational opportunities.

A key element of the plan is a deck structure that will bridge the train tracks and Turuntie, connecting the northern and southern parts of the city centre and incorporating residential spaces.

The urban space is designed to function as a communal living room that enhances the sense of community among residents.

The plan also includes pedestrian and cycling paths, stormwater management systems, and initiatives to strengthen local biodiversity.

YIT Urban Development and ESG executive vice-president Juha Kostiainen said: "We are very excited about the opportunity to start developing Leppävaara's new urban centre. YIT's urban development expertise, combined with the diverse expertise of our partners Arco and Ramboll, creates an excellent starting point for the planning of an attractive and sustainable urban environment.”

YIT is now gearing up to request a zoning change in accordance with the Walk Around proposal. As the zoning process progresses, the city may consider dividing the reserved area into smaller parcels and allocating them to other operators if required.

This project follows YIT's earlier involvement in overseeing the development phase of the new tramway depot and power supply stations for the Turku Tramway Alliance's Port of Turku-Varissuo line in the country.