On 21–22 May, representatives from IRIDRA and CoDesign Toscana visited Rovaniemi and met with local partners Arctic Factory | Service Design and Rovaseudun Markkinakiinteistöt Oy, Finland. The programme included project meetings and a technical site visit to the project’s local demo area.
The discussions focused on how local communities can play an active role in shaping this important hub of Rovaniemi and Lapland, in line with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Particular attention was given to integrating community needs, local identity, and the Arctic context into future planning for sustainable and inclusive urban development.
The first day focused on the SPICE Toolkit currently under development, as well as the framing of vulnerable groups and the pilot area. Discussions on the second day centred on the development of the Masterplan, which represents the project’s main outcome, and the Demo Action Plan, which will provide the principal framework for future activities and piloting at the demo site. The second day also included a site visit to the project’s demo area, comprising the Bus Station, the main pedestrian street Koskikatu, and the connecting area between them. The tour was guided by Pertti Onkalo, Technical Director of the City of Rovaniemi.
The visit concluded on a more relaxed note with an opportunity to ‘grill and chill’ on the terrace of Café Snow (by SNOWIN) at the Bus Station. The participants enjoyed surprisingly warm spring weather for Lapland while wrapping up the visit and exchanging views on the similarities and differences between Italy and Finland.
Overall, the visit was considered highly productive. The Rovaniemi partners would like to thank CoDesign Toscana and IRIDRA, as well as Pertti Onkalo of the City of Rovaniemi, for their valuable contributions and look forward to welcoming them, together with the other project partners, for another visit next spring.
