Demographics
The population structure of Helsinki and its metropolitan area is ages 0-14 make up 17%, 15-64 make up 71%, and 65+ make up 11%. From these numbers, one can assume that families are not very prevalent. Families in Helsinki are more likely to live in the metropolitan areas because of the lower cost of homeownership. Helsinki is losing population to its metropolitan areas, which is why they are working on a circular train system to keep people in the city.
Finland’s income distribution is one of the most even in the world. While Helsinki has more than its share of millionaires, the income distribution is fairly even.
Helsinki lacks a lot in the diversity department with almost 75% Finnish speaking. A small section of Swedish speaking exists as well as sections of foreign citizens.
Economy
In the 1800’s Finland was an agrarian society despite the cold weather. Nineteenth century Helsinki was full participant of the industrial revolution. The first modern cotton factories started up in the 1830’s and 1840’s, as did the first machine shops. The first steam machines were introduced in the 1840’s, and the first steam sawmills in the 1860’s. The first railroad and telegraph arrived in 1862. Electrical power and the telephone came into use in the 1880’s, but these technologies took a long time to reach the masses. Seventy percent of the population was engaged in agriculture and forestry, and half of the value of production came from these industries in 1900. There are very few natural resources, with only small amounts of copper and iron in the southwestern part of Finland. Trade existed with Russian and British markets and in the early 1900’s one-third of the paper in Russia was exported from Helsinki Ports.
After World War II, Finland owed reparations to Russia. The development of domestic machinery and the shipbuilding industries allowed Finland to make its payments on time and according to the agreements. The timber industry was modernized and reformed which produced huge returns, enough so that all evacuees and soldiers were given land to farm.
Finland joined the World Bank in 1948 and various European trade alliances in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The government chose not to receive Marshall Aid because of the world political situation. Trade agreements with Russia started in 1947 and continued until 1991. Finland fought off the oil crisis in the 1970’s through its exports to Russia. As profitable as the 1980’s were, the collapse of the Soviet Union led the Finnish economy into a depression worse than the 1930’s.
Electronics started in the 1980’s and is now the largest single manufacturing industry with a 25 percent share of all manufacturing. Nokia is the worlds’ largest producer of mobile phones and a major transmission-station constructor.
The Helsinki region comprises about one-third of the national GDP of Finland. Helsinki has many industry headquarters, with the economy based on retail, wholesale, and private services. Manufacturing is being replaced with high-technology industries and services.
Housing & Neighborhood Life
While the country of Finland has a universal housing program, which benefits the homeowner as well as those who need assistance, Helsinki is more of a modern city. The city enjoys affordable housing and housing grants, but its metropolitan area has many more homeowners and some enclaves of wealthy. Only 42% of people in Helsinki own their own homes. Rental units are available everywhere with rents running from 625e to 2000e. This differs greatly from the rest of the country.
“Creating positive differentiation through unique architectural design and special neighborhood qualities is a reasonable response to the charge of ‘sameness.’ Many, however, fear that current pressure on Helsinki to compete with neighboring municipalities for high income tax payers will result ultimately in the creation of neighborhoods distinguished by their affluence, and this could threaten the social cohesion.” (Myntti) We have discussed this problem in class. The near north suburbs and Streeterville are examples of these rich communities, which do not allow for diversity. Instead the initial proposition is what we know a gentrification. From our experience here in Chicago, gentrification has allowed many different cultures to live in the same area.
Another subject we have described in class is the role of neighborhoods in a city. “Yet some are now questioning the current approach to social mixing. The Ministry of Environment-sponsored external evaluation asks, for example, whether the current approach to social mixing might lead to “standardized” neighborhoods lacking the sort of diversity that ultimately makes cities interesting places.”(Myntii) I have to talk about this. I respect the concern mentioned here. The concern I have here in Chicago is that the wealthy are destroying our neighborhoods. The look and culture of neighborhoods change as new development enters. The people who nurture these communities move out leaving only a few residual families. Eventually these families will leave as well destroying the history of social diversity. However, in Chicago, gentrification seems to be working. So Helsinki’s idea of social mixing under its government-housing program might work as well.
Infrastructure
Education is government run and is free at all levels. There is a comprehensive school for pupils between 7 and 15. There is an upper secondary school for students between 15 and 18 as well as vocational schools and an apprenticeship training system. Helsinki has two types of higher education institutes, universities and polytechnics. All of these education services are free of charge.
National unemployment, national pension plans, and national health insurance are all services provided by the government. While these services result in higher taxes, everyone benefits from these services. For example, national health care covers some of the cost for private health care. Helsinki has a city council with eighty-five members from many different political parties.
The Helsinki City Transport is the public transportation management system. It offers trains, buses, metros, trams, and ferry services. Like here in Chicago, there is a need for new and better train services which allow for better service.
Social Problems
Most homeless people in Finland live in Helsinki and the city has developed services to help them. The target of the social welfare office is to minimize the use of shelters and support the clients to live in normal rented housing. The crime rate is relatively low compared to other European countries. While there is not a prevalent terrorist fear, there are elements of the Russian mob in Helsinki. Due to its social structure, Finns are saved from poverty levels, although refugees from other countries are still a problem that has not been solved.
Discussion
I think we should identify Helsinki with the Burgess concentric zone model as well as the Hoyt sector model for the entire Helsinki metropolitan area. Helsinki is aiming to develop a circular transportation system that would keep the boundaries of sprawl within it. Therefore ensuring the central business district with its inhabitants living in zones extending outward. The entire metropolitan area benefits from roads and public transportation that extends vertically to neighboring cities.
Conclusion
Helsinki is a major player in the global economy and will continue to be as it continues to develop new and innovative technologies. The citizens of Helsinki enjoy nationalized health care, Housing Assistance, and free educations. These are services that should come to America as Finland has proved that if everyone benefits from the services, the higher taxes are easier to swallow. I can’t say how I would like Finland to look because I have learned that Helsinki audits itself quite often and seem to change with the times. It is refreshing to see a government and city eager to improve itself constantly and be able to get it done.
Work Cited
1. Myntti, Cynthia, Putting Finish Housing Design into Context: The Helsinki Experience, webversion, Urban_Policy/ Housing/Housing_Policy/Helsinki-housing_1113.html
2. Helsinki Health Care, 1 December 2008 ,
3. CIA World Fact Book-Finland, 2 December 2008 www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fi.html
