The city of Mikkeli in partnership with the Finnish Association of Architects organized in May 2012 the Satamalahti International Competition to find an innovative land-use plan for the central harbour area of the city. The compe-tition is a great opportunity for Mikkeli to develop its key areas around the gulf to strengthen its role as regional centre of South Savo.

Mikkeli needs to create its identity around the shores of Lake Saimaa and encourage ecological development on the shoreline focused on reducing carbon foot-print in the region. As the administrative and service hub of the region, Mikkeli needs to set clear and tangible goals for a sustainable future. The city needs to become an example for the South Savo region.

A versatile centre for a new Mikkeli is set out as a frame-work for strategic spatial development focusing on four key areas. Each area will be essential for extending the city re-lating to South Savo. Each distinctive key project is set out as a sustainable replicable model for urban development in close relation to the water. Together, these four areas compile a guiding booklet - a spatial planning act, for effective plan-ning instruments to help kick-start the future development of South Savo as an attractive and innovative region to live and work in. The framework is a set of both technically and financially feasible solutions focused on sustainability rooted in the finnish living traditions.

Short introduction

VERSATILE CENTER FOR A NEW MIKKELI. A focus on sustainable living through successful planning tools.

client: Municipality of Mikkelidate: October 2012program: central area masterplansize: XL / 93 ha location: Mikkeli, Finlandteam: Wolfhouse Productions

1

image courtesy of Wolfhouse Productions

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

1. Dense & diverse city centre by the water

4. ‘Low to no’ carbon residential neighborhood

3. Community involvement in ecological activities

2. Protected natural areas & bio-climatic design

2

The four replicable models of sustainable neighborhoods:1. Dense & diverse city centre by the water2. Protected natural areas & bio-climatic design3. Community involvement in ecological activities4. ‘Low to no’ carbon residential neighborhood

Accessibility around the golf Natural vs built

Functional zoning Public spaces

Development schemes

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

The challenges

Strategic principles for sustainable development

The objective

Physical layout principles

1. Direct bicycle and pedestrian routes - 5 minute Satamalahti.2. Smart, integrated public transport. 3. Indirect car routes - cars are out of sight in Satamalahti.

With a population of 50 000 of which more that 18% are 65+ of age, Mikkeli fights severe depopulation. The University of Applied Sciences has the largest number of students in the South Savonia, but after finishing studies students are forced to move to more attractive cities such as Lahti, Helsinki, Stockholm or even Russia. UAS is the largest single employer in the town, following the forestry industry and farming. This means that Mikkeli has the necessary knowledge and infrastructure for develop-ing the city in a sustainable manner implying technology and practical skills. It only needs to create markets and condi-tions for implementing ecological solutions.

Mikkeli has been planned from the 1980s as an eco-province running on renewable energy from the Pursiala power station which uses 100% domestic energy. Protecting the unique nature of Saimaa has become the top priority for the local government so they want to limit the effect of human activity on the environment which means that the value of property is rising sharply.

A compact centre, rural surroundings and astonishing lake scenery pres-ents excellent circumstances for living, working and leisure time in the proximi-ty and influence sphere of Helsinki and St. Petersburg. In order to become the ‘Growth center for modern services on the shores of Lake Saimaa’ Mikkeli needs to create itself a new brand as a sus-tainable hub on the outskirts of the extensive open waters of Lake Saimaa and kick start the ecological development of the Saimaa shoreline.

Develop the four neighborhods as replicable projects based on principles and methods of intervention that could be used as guidance and models for other areas. The areas will be developed as to provide specificity and identity while also ensuring connectivity and integration along the lake shore and with the city center. The old harbour area will be a nodal point of the composition and a reference area for the city and region.

SoCIAL ACTIon. Mixing social categories and increasing social participation to community life and common actions will enhance social cohesion.

DenSIFy URbAn STRUCTURe. Adaptive and flexible urban structures will make for a more efficient use of land.

IMPRoVe MobILITy. enabling new forms of transport and circulation and set-ting up intermodal nodes will improve accessibility and urban mobility.

SUSTAInAbLe bUILDIng MATeRIALS. give priority to local resources such as wood and building traditions.

bIoCLIMATIC URbAn DeSIgn. Involving new ways of preserving and reducing energy consumption.

USe oF MoDeRn TeCHnoLogIeS. Making use of new technlogies for the functioning and maintenance of public spaces and providing efficient use of urban services. A B C

3

A plan to create four distinct zones that together compile a sustainable guide

4. LOW TO NO’ CARBON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

3. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN ECOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

2. PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS & BIO-CLIMATIC DESIGN

1. DENSE & DIVERSE CITY CENTRE BY THE WATER

1. Science Centre2. Harbour square3. Waterfront promenade4. Community square5. Community centre6. Community urban farm7, Park8. Bio-remediation and Research Centre9. Museum of Local Industries10. Seagulls sanctuary11. Pedestrian bridge

1

2

345

5

5

6

11

10

9

86

7

6

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

4

1. DENSE & DIVERSE CITY CENTRE BY THE WATER

As the direct extension of Mikkeli city centre to the water the area has a mixed-use character, acting as a social hub including commercial, educational, cultural and residential activities.

Current situation requires...

new actities along the waterfront...

....extending the city centre

....create a vibrant and attractive life in Mikkeli

Mixed building blocks create a lively route easily acces-sible by foot or bicycle. Residential areas play a significant role for the development of the harbour. Social sustainabilty is reached by discouraging car traffic, planning secure and comfortable pedestrian axes and bike connections and pub-lic spaces for the community.

Science Centrehotel & services harbour square bridge offices & commercecommunity centre

high-riseresidentialhigh-rise residential

services & residential social housing

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

5

The waterfront is reactivated and public life is brought back in the city

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

6

120m

X 1

20m

90m X

90m

45° twist

city view

harbour square viewpedestrian link from the city

water view

conference room

meeting

accessible roof

exhibition

learning centre

parking andtechnical area

media and library

Functional layout Urban design concept

SCIENCE CENTRE

The largest and most significant area of Mikkeli develops on the city’s waterfront as the central point of Mikkeli’s urban vision. The city of Mikkeli is planning to build a science centre in the harbour area with the mis-sion to promote ecological design throughout South Savonia. The competition’s task is to freely conceptualise a visually appealing landmark intended for public without a more detailed brief regarding the use of space.

Mikkeli Science Centre is set out as both an attractor for tourists and research laboratory in sustainable living. The flagship project will host exhibitions destined to inform locals and tourist on the importance of sustainable living, and will work with finnish institutions such as educational (The University of Applied Scienc-es), community oriented (The bio - Regeneration Reseasrch Centre based in the community involvement in ecological activities neighborhood) and city services (Pursiala powerplant).

View from the promenade towards the Science Centre

Science Centre section from the water

image courtesy of Wolfhouse Productions

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

7

Specific section

Activities layout

Front view

View from the pedestrian axis to the museum

2. PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS & BIO-CLIMATIC DESIGN

In an effort to increase protection of the bird sanctuary, business and service areas are offset to the east side. Build-ing blocks are layed out with an emphasize on bio-climat-ic architecture and urban design. A good pedestrian route (folowing an abandoned railroad) connects the previous area with this one and extends further into the botanical garden to the south.

Protected bird sanctuary

Museum of local industries

Pedestrian axis

Pedestrianaxis

Highway Highway offices officesMuseum of local industriesnoise filter

noise filter

birdsanctuary

RailwayInner courtyard

image courtesy of Wolfhouse Productions

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

8

View from the Bio - regeneration Research Centre

3. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN ECOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Using the soil as a resource and drastically changing the place, the Bio - Research Centre focuses on phytoremediation technologies and research laboratory. Bioremediation facil-ities, coupled with urban farms, are accessible also to the community. The neighborhood could become (in time) a pro-ducer instead of a taker.

Residential areabio-regeneration Research Centrebusiness area

image courtesy of Wolfhouse ProductionsActivities layout

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

9

View from the low residential neighborhood

4. LOW TO NO’ CARBON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

The new neighborhood cooperates with the natural habi-tat and sensibly blends in the landscape. Being a residential area, special attention has been payed to the various living typologies. Employing low-carbon materials and technol-ogies, efficicent energy use and integrated waste recycling helps the community to achieve a low - and eventually - no carbon footprint.

Community centre Residential area

image courtesy of Wolfhouse ProductionsActivities layout

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

10

Mikkeli Satamalahti

Waste Management

District Heating

A. On site C. Off siteB.Near siteMikkeli area South Savo

Variable programming options allow for simple refitting of buildingeco-Concrete,wood partitionsWood, CLT facade structureeco efficient smart glass facade / wood facade

urban farm in Mikkeli

community greenhouse

Local foods market in Harbour Square

field crop in South Savonia Region

local foods market for all residents

local community as main suporter of the local food network

1. Involve (+ set regulations)

Key words: empower community, engage institutions (lo-cal + national), incentivise entrerprises, lead the way

The local community has to be involved in the ecological planning and designing process. It can act as a driving force pushing local authorities into passing new sustainable regulations. The development of Satamalahti area means involving various actors both on local and national levels. For this, Fin-land already has institutions active in ecological development of urban areas. TeKeS, Sitra and VCC funds could act as partners/coordinators along with local authorities in setting up new regulations.

2. Reduce (carbon footprint)

Key words: efficient use of resources, low carbon / car-bon depository building materials, prefabricated building, smart energy consumption, centralised waste disposal, move around by walking, cycling, taking the bus

The second step in developing a comprehensive ecological strategy is to reduce the current carbon foot-print. A “low to no” type of approach that could be cut down to zero in the future making Satamalahti area a carbon neutral area.

3. Produce (food + energy)

Key words: community urban farming; photovoltaic / solar heating panels; medium scale heat pumps; bio-mass, bio-gas

Renewable energy production is already employed in Mikkeli by using wood in the Pursiaala powerplant. In solar power production, Satamalahti is also a high potential area, setting up photovoltaic pannels could help in low-ering conventional energy use. Urban farming is also an important part of the ecological strategy. Satamalahti residents could and should produce part of their food locally. A local food network could be developed with support from the community.

A. On site: Densification CLT Construction, Urban Informatics, geother-mal Heating, Solar Panels, green Roofs, Rain Water Management, Smart Mass Transit, Active Social Awareness, natural Shoreline, Permeable Water edge, Water bus, bioremediation Plants

B. Near site: biogas, biomass, Waste Management

C. Off site: Wind Farms, Solar Farms, Responsible Forest Harvest

Ecological concept

Flexible building concept Cross section for bio-climatic buildings

Sustainable living in mikkeli

Urban farms exchange system

growing and buying locally produced food is an important part of the masterplan’s ecolog-ical concept. This helps not only in lowering the city’s carbon foot-print, but also in creating an atractive framework for community involvement and “place building”.

Versatile Centre for a new Mikkeli, Finland

11