When I first researched the reputations of Kontula and Koivukylä, two neighborhoods in the Helsinki region, it led me to find various online forums, YouTube videos, and Reddit posts. These online resources offered spatial imaginaries of these communities, portraying them as dangerous, crime-ridden areas where people should not visit or bring their kids. The intense reaction online intrigued me, making me wonder how these reputations were produced. How do neighborhoods acquire these stigmas? The research study, The Diverse and Disadvantaged Neighborhoods in the Nordic Welfare State–The Voices of Residents, addresses these aspects of the residents' reputation, trust, and safety. To gain a deeper understanding of the neighborhoods, we must go beyond our assumptions and explore the actual data and experiences of the residents. My visit to Kontula and Koivuklyä aimed to shed light on my experience as a visitor and challenge the prevailing negative stereotypes.
Kontula is a suburban neighborhood in eastern Helsinki with a history illustrating Finnish residents' various urbanization routes. It was established in the mid-1960s during a period of intensive rural-urban migration and was initially seen as an example of modern urban living (1). Modern amenities within the spacious apartments attracted people to the city’s cramped living conditions (2). Nonetheless, the neighborhood’s complicated reputation was initially started by the early story of isolation brought on by poor transportation options and limited resources. According to the Kontula Resident Panel Study, which aims to give a voice to residents of vulnerable neighborhoods, Kontula is a high-concentration area facing various social risks such as unemployment, limited education, and perceived crime issues.
The distinct character of Kontula’s shopping center immediately stood out when I arrived. Unlike the uniform, brand-new shopping centers typical of Helsinki, Kontula’s shopping center is vibrant and diverse, hosting over 80 entrepreneurs, ethnic grocery stores, and various cultural restaurants (3). This variety represents at least a dozen cultures, making the center reflect the multiculturalism in Helsinki. Statistically, Kontula has a diverse demographic makeup, with approximately 38 percent of its foreign-born residents. However, turnover is notable, as half of these immigrants have lived in Finland for five years or less. The shopping center's murals, library space, and recycling center further emphasize the community’s cultural richness and sustainability efforts. Kontula has a strong sense of community and cultural intimacy despite its reputation. The narrative of the neighborhood should evolve into one of cultural richness and community resilience.
After exploring the shopping center, we toured the more residential part of the neighborhood. We started the rest of our exploration by walking to Kelkkapuisto Park. In the park, there were people of all ages skateboarding, chalking the sidewalks, and enjoying the sunny weather. We continued our exploration through a network of well-connected pathways that guided us through the residential areas. The walking paths were designed thoughtfully, yet there were still a few places where the path abruptly ended. The footpaths are an interconnected system that always guided me back to the metro station and the shopping center. The paths had clear signage marked paths for bikes and pedestrians, which enhanced safety and usability. The trees along the paths provided shade which would make the walk comfortable even on warmer days. The paths were well-maintained, but the occasional dirt paths could make it less accessible for some individuals. The walking paths are connected back to various amenities like the grocery store, schools, church, and playground, creating an interconnected community where everything is accessible within walking distance.
Personally, I felt that the neighborhood was safe and highly accessible. However, safety perceptions vary significantly among residents. While 72 percent feel safe alone at night, safety concerns are more notably linked to specific areas like the shopping center. The feeling of safety has a disparity between genders, with women more likely to perceive the area as unsafe. Improvements could benefit some areas, such as the shopping center's sidewalks and playground. The neighborhood's infrastructure could also be improved and updated, but the preservation and needs of the community members should be of utmost importance. Despite its challenges, Kontula residents expressed mixed feelings about their neighborhood’s reputation. While 65 percent perceive its reputation as poor, 80% believe it is better than the reputation suggests, pointing to discrepancies in outside perceptions versus internal experiences. Overall, Kontula made for an enjoyable experience.
Koivukylä is located in Vantaa, north of Tikkurila. The area has many small houses, dense apartment buildings, and a significant multicultural population. With nearly 47% of its foreign-born residents, Koivukylä reflects a multicultural community with a significant immigrant population, with many arriving recently. The district has grown rapidly since the 1960s, influenced by the main railway line and migration near Helsinki’s capital region. The 1980s saw a boom in apartment building construction, and the more central development of the Leinelä residential area further boosted its population (4). Koivukylä’s neighborhood is divided by train tracks, creating a physical divide. The new shopping center, on the one hand, has modern amenities like a pharmacy, library, and K-Citymarket, which reflect recent infrastructure investments. On the other hand, the environment shifts to older buildings and smaller businesses on the other side of the train tracks.
One notable feature of Koivukylä is its " skyways " network above the roads, which safely connects back to residential areas. We noticed these walking path options near schools and the shopping center. The neighborhood has numerous chain stores dispersed throughout, along with kiosk stand-alone restaurants. The amenities within the neighborhood are more sparsely spread out throughout the neighborhood and offer many different chain grocery stores. Similar to Kontula, the residential areas have well-designed walking paths, parks, and playgrounds that foster community relationships. Social trust among residents is 54 percent, believing Koivukylä residents are willing to help each other. However, trust levels in institutions versus interpersonal trust vary, influenced by educational backgrounds and length of residency in the area. The central playground and sports complex are active community hubs that host events and activities. Koivukylä also has murals around the main playground, which brings the neighborhood together.
However, there are several distinctions between the two neighborhoods. Koivukylä has fewer cultural restaurants and stores than Kontula, which can impact the neighborhood’s sense of culture, making Koivukylä feel less inclusive. Perceptions about Koivukylä’s reputation are similarly mixed to Kontula’s, with 51% considering it poor or very poor. Also, the housing in Koivukylä appeared to be less maintained and older, perhaps suggesting a slower investment pace in the residential infrastructure. The lack of maintenance could influence the residents’ quality of life and the neighborhood’s overall aesthetic appeal. Another significant difference is transport connectivity; reaching Koivukylä requires taking the commuter train, which can feel less integrated into the city’s flow. These differences in transportation options can affect how connected residents feel to the broader Helsinki area and influence their daily commuting experience.
These observations are based on my own experiences visiting Kontula and Koivukylä, and they offer a tiny glimpse into the complexities of these neighborhoods. Consequently, it is crucial to understand that spatial imaginaries, how we perceive and imagine places, might not always align with the lived realities of the communities' residents. To truly grasp the needs and cultures of these neighborhoods, it is best to engage and build sustainable relationships with the people who live there. Community-based perspectives provide insights that can challenge our understanding, moving beyond one-dimensional stigmas.
Lydia Zajichek worked as an intern in the Vulnerable Neighbourhoods Survey project at the University of Helsinki in the summer of 2024
Notes
- Historical Layers and Cultural Intimacy: An Ethnographic Case Study of Kontula. (2018). EuropeNow. https://www.europenowjournal.org/2018/04/30/historical-layers-and-cultu… -ethnographic-case-study-of-kontula/
- Kaksi tarinaa Koivukylän lähiöstä | Elävä arkisto | yle.fi. (2016, October 28). Yle. Retrieved June 17, 2024, from https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2016/10/28/kaksi-tarinaa-koivukylan-lahio…;
- Kokkonen, J. (2002). Kontula: Elämää lähiössä. Helsinki: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura.
- Kontula. (n.d.). My Helsinki. Retrieved June 17, 2024, from https://www.myhelsinki.fi/fi/n%C3%A4e-ja-koe/naapurustot/it%C3%A4iset-n… kontula