The design competition for the Hermanninranta Biodiversity Park has started

Strengthening the biodiversity of the natural area as the goal

Hermanninranta is located on an old seabed, mainly formed by seafill sites. It is a self-developed coastal area that is in its natural state and rich in biodiversity. The area’s woodlands, rocky outcrops, floodplains and sunlit environments, which are rare in Finnish nature, provide habitats for plants, insects and birds. The starting point for the design process is to create a biodiversity park that evolves in line with nature’s own terms and where the widest possible range of species can coexist in the same area.

– Such peaceful and natural waterfront areas are rare in the vicinity of the Helsinki city centre. In this competition, we are using the means of landscape architecture to find a concept based on the local conditions and biodiversity, which will endure and evolve over time, says Rikhard Manninen, chairman of the competition jury.

The competing teams have to design solutions that take advantage of the floodwaters that occasionally spread across the area and ensure that the existing ecosystems are strengthened further. Many parts of the park have considerable biodiversity potential. For example, the nature values of the coastal and water areas could be enhanced further by adding nesting platforms.

The soil in the area, which cannot support waterfront structures that need piling or any structures that require heavy foundations, also adds its own challenge to the competition. The existing storage containers and winter storage area for boats currently on the site will be removed. In the future, the main cycling route Arabianbaana will also go through the park, and the route of this cycling path will be coordinated in the second stage of the competition. 

Diverse urban nature complements urban neighbourhood

The waterfront park has special significance and importance, as it will become a local recreational area for the Kyläsaari and Hermanninranta neighbourhoods, which are being built in the northern parts of Kalasatama. The aim is that this dense urban area of more than 10,000 inhabitants and the rich nature will complement each other in a sustainable way. The pathways planned for the waterfront park will connect Kalasatama to Arabianranta, as well as the wider Vanhankaupunginlahti nature area and the Helsinki Park ‘green finger’.One of the design objectives is to also make the area suitable for multiple purposes all year round.

A Hermanninterassi terrace area – an extension of the home in the urban district – will be built between the residential buildings and the design competition area. Activities such as ping-pong tables and a pétanque court are planned for this terrace area. A football field and a playground are planned for the western side of the park, which could also be used by the pupils of the school to be built in the area in the future. The designers participating in the competition also have the task of finding a suitable site for a dog park in the area.

Competition to be decided in spring 2027

The aim of the public competition for ideas is to proceed directly to the implementation planning of the park. The aim is to decide on the competition winner in spring 2027 and the goal is to start the park’s implementation in 2028. The entries to the first stage of the competition will be judged by a panel of judges. The proposals selected for the second stage will also be presented to the public for comments. 

A competition page has been set up for participating groups at Hermannin rantapuisto(Link leads to external service) . The page includes the competition seminar schedule, background materials, and recommendations for working group composition.