Edition Helsinki 2024

Viikki is a district of 12,000 inhabitants in Northeast Helsinki, about 8 kilometers north-east from the city center of Helsinki. 

The Viikki campus began to emerge in the 1960s when the University of Helsinki moved its natural science teaching to the lands of the Viikki experimental farm. The growth of the area continued in the 1990s with the construction of new university buildings, business incubators and an ecological residential area called “EkoViikki”. Nowadays almost most of the zoned areas have already been built. Viikki is known as an area of science and research. The Science Park is the functional centre of Viikki and a campus of more than 6,000 students. The Science Park campus is a centre for teaching and research in life sciences, agriculture and forestry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine at the University of Helsinki. The campus area is also home to a growing number of businesses born from local expertise.

Eko-Viikki is the first ecologically planned district in Finland. The planning of the area has been based on the principle of a sustainable, healthy and adaptable living environment. The same principles will continue to guide the future planning of the area: despite the construction, Viikki will remain as it is now: a nature paradise open to everyone, where the entire story of the city began. 

The cultural and historical landscape and natural areas provide a framework for housing, jobs, research, study and leisure. Helsinki's new master plan and the construction of the Raide-Jokeri Light Rail will launch the next phase of development inviting, which will continue well into the 2030s. New housing and services for around 6,000 people are planned near the tramway stops. With the new tramline, more companies will be attracted to Viikki, as the area is developing into a sustainable innovation hub. In addition, there are plans to expand the campus area.