In spring 2022, two groups of children aged 7–9 and one group of teenagers participated in the Tapiola Cultural Square project at Arkki’s WeeGee site. The project aimed to find answers to questions posed by Espoo’s urban planning: How can Tapiola’s Cultural Square be made more inviting for children and young people? How can urban greenery be increased in the area?

The project began with an introduction by Tuuli Aaltio, Espoo’s urban planning participation and interaction expert, who provided an overview of urban planning principles and detailed the current zoning situation of Tapiola’s Cultural Square.

The ideation process for Arkki’s students started with a field trip to the Cultural Square and its surrounding areas. They explored the challenges and positives of the space. After the trip, the 7–9-year-olds brainstormed together, then divided into theme groups. Finally, each student worked individually to develop their most important idea. The older group, consisting of students over 14 years old, moved directly to sketching their own ideas and creating personal designs for the square after the field trip.

In the fall, Espoo’s urban planning team reviewed the ideas generated by Arkki’s students as part of a broader collection of input from resident engagement.

IN COLLABORATION WITH: Espoo Urban Planning and Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth.

ARKKI TEAM: Tom Henriksson, Callisté Mastandréas, Jaana Räsänen, Henna Tuhkalainen, Eero Urala.