Tapiola

The Tapiola garden city is an internationally renowned pearl of urban design, where buildings, people and nature all work together, where walking and cycling are encouraged. Tapiola was born after the war, as the desire to develop the areas around Helsinki grew. It was based on the garden city ideology of Ebeneser Howard. Tapiola consists of three areas with a pedestrian centre. Several architects were involved in the design, each building a harmonious unit. Variety was all-important; there had to be a combination of tall and low buildings. The buildings had to fit in well with the surrounding nature, and the great Otsolahti bay was to be kept undisturbed.

Aarne Ervi was given the job of designing the famous centre with its tower, busy shopping district, pond, hotel, swimming baths, Cultural Centre and church. Tapiola was commended in the US in 1967 as one of the best cityscapes in the world. The garden city is now an important commercial and cultural centre; for instance the Tapiola Choir, Espoo Big Band, Espoo City Theatre and Tapiola Sinfonietta are greatly renowned. Tapiola is also home to the popular April Jazz festival and Espoo Cine International Film Festival.

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