Tapiola

The garden city of Tapiola, now a part of Espoo, is located across the bay from Seurasaari, close to Helsinki. This is a must-read for anyone interested in post-war experimental urban planning concepts. The town, which was created in the 1950s as a showcase for contemporary town planning, now has a Star Trek-like atmosphere. The University of Technology, with Dipoli, the students' union with an unusual design, is located to the northeast on the Otaniemi peninsula. Arto Sipinen, an architect, created the new cultural center, which debuted in 1989. Together with sports facilities, there are other specialist stores.

Tapiola gave Finnish urban planning international recognition. From the beginning, it was known for its elite landscaping and architecture as well as an ideological experiment that attracted attention on a national and worldwide scale. The goal of Tapiola's planners was to showcase a fresh approach to housing and town planning in Finland. The Housing Foundation wanted to establish a garden city that would serve as a microcosm of Finnish society. There would be residents from all socioeconomic groups living in a variety of structures, including detached homes, terraced buildings, and multi-story buildings. "We do not wish to build houses or dwellings but rather socially healthy environments for contemporary man and his family," said the project's motto. Tapiola offered a utopian social vision and a contrast to what was at the time perceived as a repressive metropolitan setting. In this way, Tapiola served as both a test and a role model.

Location: the western part of Greater Helsinki.

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