International guests in Harviala
The FutureECOS project, coordinated by Regional Council of Häme, held its second international stakeholder event in Hämeenlinna and the surrounding area on June 9-10. The project’s aim is to develop the vitality and attractiveness of six European regions from the perspective of future living. The project began in 2024, when the first Hämeenlinna event was held. This time international guests also visited Harviala Manor on Wednesday, June 10 as part of the project’s regional visit programme. The afternoon’s aim was to learn about the history of Harviala Manor’s cultural environment and the solutions and opportunities related to the area’s development. The visitors came from the project’s regions: Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Ukraine and Serbia.
The areas involved in the project are connected by their location outside national growth centers. The areas face similar types of challenges and opportunities; they may not necessarily appear attractive as residential areas, but on the other hand they have unused potential to increase their appeal in terms of housing and living space as they compete with growth centers. Solutions to these challenges are being sought by combining digital (smart planning, living and areas), environmental (sustainable living space) and social perspectives (quality housing, inclusion, health and leisure) to provide better opportunities for the areas to attract new residents and improve quality of life.
The international guests thanked the Regional Council of Häme and the municipality of Janakkala for the well-planned program and the opportunity to see concrete examples of Finnish housing solutions and development sites. Harviala Manor was a particularly interesting destination also for the Finnish project participants, as the visitors had not been there before. The international stakeholder meeting strengthened cooperation among the project’s partners and offered valuable perspectives on best practices in regional development and environmental work.