The main drivers causing urban shrinkage in Finland are the same as in other parts of Europe. These include demographic changes, deindustrialization and major economic restructuring with concomitant migration flows to more prosperous regions. Especially the rural areas are suffering the loss of inhabitants and services, but also small and middle-sized towns have serious problems. ’Back to Map’ aims to find out new means for small town development. These means are based on potentials that are not yet recognized in Finland, like more or less hidden small town urbanism, and possibilities to form functional small town networks, regarding especially services. The research themes include: 1) recognizing local operating environments and supporting these spatially, 2) analysing morphological and typological qualities and refining these into urban design principles, 3) analysing urban amenities and scenes and supporting these by urban design.
Duration 01.10.2010 – 30.09.2011
Project leader Ari Hynynen
Researchers Maria Seppälä, Maija Villanen
Funding Ministry of Employment and Economy, Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, Finnish small town network
Partners The City of Ikaalinen, The City of Kauhava