KAPA, Tram Line 13 from Kalasatama to Pasila, has won the Environmental Structure of the Year 2025 competition. The award is given in recognition of outstanding design and implementation of the built environment. This year, the Käyrälampi area in Kouvola received an honorable mention.
The Kalasatama to Pasila project focused on the construction of a tram line from Nihti via Kalasatama to Pasila, as well as numerous streets and green areas connected to the project. The 4,5-kilometer-long cross-connection was connected to the existing public transport network, ensuring smooth connections for commuters and residents of the area. According to forecasts, Kalasatama will have approximately 25,000 residents in 2040, and 10,000 people will work in the area.
The street environment along the tram line has improved in terms of comfort, attractiveness and safety. Pedestrian and cycling conditions have also improved significantly. In addition, the tram line under construction will connect to the Kruunusillat tram line in Nihti, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
“The tram project primarily builds a functional city. The solutions made must last over time and also adapt to future needs. Our group had a common way of thinking from the beginning. We wanted to produce real value for the city’s residents and the client and optimize the implementation by applying lean construction methods, among other things,” says the project’s design manager. Jussi Borgenstrom.
Urban planning that creates well-being
Sustainable construction solutions, preserving biodiversity, and creating a pleasant urban environment were the guiding principles of the Kalasatama to Pasila project. For example, abundant and diverse vegetation transformed the wide Hermanni waterfront into a pleasant and interesting urban space.
The implementation of responsible measures was confirmed in November 2024 with the BREEAM Infrastructure environmental rating, which the Kalasatama to Pasila project received as the first tram project in Finland.
"The project enabled a much broader sharing of expert knowledge than a conventional project, the concretization of new possibilities and the emergence of innovations across organizational boundaries. Regular joint planning meetings between the two alliance groups ensured that the broad entity of the tramway's urban environment was realized with uniform and high-quality solutions in the sections of both alliances," said the Director of Urban Design. Pia Salmi.
Responsibility as part of planning, implementation and maintenance
In the design of street environments, responsibility is reflected, among other things, in the variety of plant species and the use of recycled materials.
Clear objectives promoted responsible design and construction. Circular economy models and resource-wise operating principles were developed for the project: at least 50-80% of demolition materials were redirected to reconstruction, the use of PVC plastic was avoided, and renewable energy was used in the project's production.
Sustainability and responsibility were emphasized in the implementation and maintenance. The project recycled soil masses and used recycled stones and trees felled in the area as soil aggregates. Low-carbon concrete was used in the pile slabs, which were built in significant quantities due to weak ground conditions. The responsibility work was verified with BREEAM certification.
The new tram also brings new tasks for maintenance, such as taking care of the green roofs at the stops. All tram stops on line 13 have green roofs, which increase the urban greenery and provide places for insects.
Honorable mention for the Käyrälampi area in Kouvola
In this year's competition, the Käyrälampi area in Kouvola receives an honorable mention. The area has been a popular outdoor recreation destination since the early 1900th century and has been renovated as a Kouvola Key Project 2020-2024. A wide range of experts and residents were involved in the project. An accessible outdoor recreation route was built in the area, a pedestrian bridge and a beach were connected to it, and the Käyrälampi Park was renovated. The end result is a versatile destination where sustainable environmental construction has been taken into account and the area is a significantly more accessible outdoor recreation destination than before.
The jury wanted to give an honorable mention to the site for its high-quality design and implementation for different user groups, and especially for taking accessibility into account in every area. The site was considered successful and attracts visitors from further afield.
High-level competition
A large number of candidates participated in the competition, and five exceptionally high-quality projects were selected for the final, each of which had the potential to win. As there are no separate categories for projects of different scales in the competition, the jury assessed the candidates from many perspectives, how the projects differ from each other qualitatively and based on the values they express, regardless of their size and budget.
According to the jury, the winning KAPA, Tram Line 13 from Kalasatama to Pasila, had several key strengths. Overall, the tram line was seen as an ambitious project in every area. Public transport was planned from the start to be part of the existing urban structure, enlivening and greening it. When travelling on the tram line, the environment is a pleasure to observe.
"The tram line is a great example of a project that combines entities and is different, and which is also reflected in the everyday lives of city residents," describes the chairman of the jury. Kaisa Koskelin From the Finnish Landscape Designers Association.
Winning item creators
Subscribers to the item: Helsinki Metropolitan Area Public Transport Ltd and the City of Helsinki
Project manager Mikko Asikainen
Satu Talvio and Niina Salojärvi responsibility and urban nature
Tuomas Lautaniemi, Tomas Palmgren, urban spaces
Promoting the circular economy, mass coordinator Mikko Suominen
Design and implementation:
Cross-cutting solutions that apply to the entire tramway:
Urban Space Planning Manager Pia Salmi, WSP
Responsible Leadership: Elisa Lähde, WSP and Eija Multanen Afry
Sörkan Spåra Alliance Nihti – Hermanni Beach Road
Contractor Destia Oy: Project Manager Janne Korkalainen
urban environment designers: Janika Poltinoja, Laura Soosalu, Tuula Karhunen
WSP Finland Oy: Project Manager Jussi Borgenström
urban environment designers: Olivia Mahlio, Daniela Rosqvist, Johanna Petäjä, Sara Caetano, Satu Niemelä-Prittinen, Elina Regårdh, Pia Kurki, Jari Aaltonen,
green contractor: VRJ: Marina Dolgorukovak, Jenni Salminen, Tuija Hakkarainen
Karaate Alliance Nylanderinpuisto – West Pasila
Contractor GRK Suomi Oy: project manager Jonna Tuomiranta, landscaping: Sari Rinne, Anu Virranniemi
AFRY Finland Oy: project manager Pekka Saarinen, urban environment designers: Hanna Ylitalo, Alina Juntunen, Lea Hettula, Ilkka Tiainen, Laura Eronen
Landscape Architecture Office Vämä: Design of Vallilanlaakso Park Yrjö Ala-Heikkilä, Katja Orrainen, Elina Renkonen
Graduation year: completed 2024
Location: The site is located between Pasila and Kalasatama, passing through Vallilanlaakso and parallel to Hermanni rantatie.
The Environmental Structure of the Year award was announced at the Green Days Green Gala on 11 February 2026. The competition has highlighted exemplary environmental projects since 1992. The competition is organised and awarded by the Finnish Concrete Industry Association, the Finnish Stone Association and the Finnish Environmental Association. In addition to the organisers, the competition jury includes representatives from the Finnish Architectural Association, the Ministry of the Environment, the Finnish Landscape Architects Association, the Finnish Green and Environment Architects Association, the Finnish Landscape Designers Association and the press. Read more about the competition: https://www.vyl.fi/vuodenymparistorakenne/
Additional information:
Taavi Forssell, Green Environment Association
040 197 1273
taavi.forssell@vyl.fi
Blue Wave, Stone Association
050 330 1630
sini.laine@kivi.info
Antti Taivalkangas, Finnish Construction Products Industry RTT Federation
050 432 3360
antti.taivalkangas@rt.fi
KAPA, Tram line 13 from Kalasatama to Pasila
Pia Salmi, WSP
040 7206571
pia.salmi@wsp.com
Mikko Asikainen, Metropolitan Area Urban Transport Ltd.
09 310 22492
mikko.asikainen@kaupunkilikeen.fi
Käyrälampi area, Kouvola
Liisa Mäkitalo, City of Kouvola
040 489 9241
liisa.makitalo@kouvola.fi