In the Finnish cities of Tampere and Kuopio, climate risks are worsening as urban density increases. This particularly impacts vulnerable groups, including children, elderly people and low-income residents.
To ensure climate adaptation solutions are inclusive and accessible, our Finland Climate Adaptation Lab is engaging communities in the planning of nature-based solutions in local daycare centres.
With a population of over 260,000, Tampere is the third largest city in Finland, with strong technology and service sectors attracting more people to the city. As the demonstrator pilot for the Finland Climate Adaptation Lab, Tampere is testing and implementing nature-based solutions to build climate resilience at the Metsäniitty Daycare Centre.
250 kilometres across the Finnish Lakeland, the city of Kuopio faces similar climate challenges and is also a centre for growth in Finland. Representatives from Kuopio are participating in the design and implementation in Tampere, with the goal of evaluating the replicability of solutions for daycare centres in their city.
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Climate challenges facing Tampere and Kuopio
Tampere and Kuopio are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate risks including:
- Heavy rainfall and stormwater flooding, especially in dense urban areas
- Heatwaves and urban heat island effect
- Periods of drought
- Biodiversity loss and spread of invasive species
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What are the potential climate adaptation solutions?
The Finland Climate Adaptation Lab is focusing on nature-based solutions to the climate risks facing both Tampere and Kuopio.
Beginning in Tampere, the Lab is creating a multi-functional playground at the Metsäniitty Daycare Centre that will combine play areas and urban greenery. Increasing tree planting and expanding green spaces will tackle the city’s urban heat island effect, and the multi-functional design of the playground will also include solutions to better manage stormwater runoff.
To ensure solutions for the daycare centre meet the needs of all population groups, participatory planning measures are being used to engage local communities that use the daycare centre, including pupils, youth groups and elderly residents.
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By improving green spaces in daycare centres, the Finland Climate Adaptation Lab will not only bring benefits for climate adaptation, but for the cities’ residents and users of the daycare centre by preventing the negative health impacts of the urban heat island and creating more functional spaces for social connection.
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Climate and Environmental Watch Tampere
The Tampere Climate Watch brings together the city's climate measures in an easy-to-use service. It provides an up-to-date picture of the measures and helps to assess their impact.
Preparedness and adaptation to climate change
Tampere’s climate risk assessment and strategy for climate adaptation
