Interview of the Mayor of Helsinki, CTUR Partner
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09 October 2017CTUR is an URBACT project made up of 10 European cities looking for joint, effective and sustainable solutions in the field of cruise traffic and urban regeneration. Helsinki, the capital and largest city in Finland is a partner city of the project. Designated “World Design Capital” in 2012, the city is currently working on a major project which will turn the area of Hernesaari into a new seaside residential, business and leisure district. The Mayor of Helsinki, Jussi Pajunen, shares his views and projects in this interview conducted by Marianna Kajantie from the City of Helsinki Cultural Office.
What is the importance and the priority level your city gives to the development of cruise tourism? What are the expectations and the expected benefits?
The Baltic Sea region is one of the fastest-growing cruise areas offering fascinating destinations to its visitors. Cruise tourism is very highly prioritized in Helsinki. About 270 cruise ships and 370 000 cruise passengers have visited Helsinki this year, adding life and colour to the city life. There was an eight percent increase compared to the number of passengers in 2010. Our strength is the location of the passenger harbours in the very heart of the city, for instance in Hernesaari.
The economic impact of cruise passengers is significant. Our aim is to offer cruise ship passengers an enjoyable and welcoming arrival in our city with a smooth transfer from the port to the city. The Port of Helsinki and Helsinki Airport can provide together smooth-running service and have extensive experience of turnarounds. Hence, Helsinki wants to build an image as an appealing city worthwhile to visit during a stopover and even to return later to discover in greater depth what the city has to offer.
What are your opinions and suggestions about the local project 'Hernesaari development' carried out within the URBACT CTUR project framework?
The URBACT CTUR Project (Cruise Traffic and Urban Regeneration of City Port Heritage) has proven to be a successful way to bring different organizations and their expertise together. It has been a valuable learning process of collaboration and a journey of visions and interesting new openings.
In the case of Hernesaari, we are facing a remarkable opportunity to reinvent Helsinki as a cruise destination. The whole district is in the epicentre of the historical regeneration of the urban texture of Helsinki. New residential and commercial areas are currently being constructed on former cargo harbour sites for tens of thousands of new inhabitants. The cruise ship terminal along with all its services will make an important contribution to the maritime profile of Hernesaari.
All in all, CTUR has proved to be a very valuable kick off for the future on many levels. It has been a very positive experience and a useful pilot for new service concepts and future activities. I am convinced that that we can build on the results and the achievements of CTUR during our year as World Design Capital in 2012.
You are interested in cruise traffic and urban regeneration of port cities: read the URBACT CTUR project CityNews.
Each issue of is dedicated to one of the project partner cities: Varna (Bulgaria), Matosinhos (Portugal), Trieste (Italy), 
Download CTUR citynews N.4/2010 Dublin (1.53 MB) (Ireland), Download CTUR citynews N. 9/2011 Helsinki (2.16 MB) (Spain), Download CTUR citynews N.6/2010 Valencia (1.16 MB) (Spain), Download CTUR citynews N. 9/2011 Helsinki (2.16 MB) (Finland), Download CTUR citynews N. 7/2010 Rostock (1.16 MB) (Germany), Download CTUR citynews N. 7/2010 Rostock (1.16 MB) (Greece), Download CTUR_News_10-2011_Naples.pdf (1.11 MB) (Italy).
Read more:
- CTUR - URBACT website
- Download CTUR citynews N. 9/2011 Helsinki (2.16 MB) - PDF
- Helsinki: World Design Capital 2012 - URBACT Blog
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