The Kaukajärvi and Annala neighbourhood programme is coming to an end, but long-term development in the area continues

The Kaukajärvi and Annala neighbourhood programme has strengthened the sense of community and participation in the areas and improved their attractiveness through concrete actions. During the programme, new low-threshold meeting places and events were created, such as the Avaamo parenting café, Haihara Christmas and the community garden.

– We have valued the genuine opportunities for residents to influence development, as shown by the numerous ideas implemented in the area. In addition to surveys, we have organized resident events and communicated with residents in many ways about relevant issues in the area, says Henna Kuitunen, project manager for the neighbourhood programme.

According to her, the coordinating role of the neighbourhood programme strengthened cooperation between actors, as it brought together actors from the city, the welfare region and the third sector. The development work in the areas has been carried out in cooperation with residents, actors, various city departments and the Pirkanmaa welfare region. At the same time, new forms of cooperation and partnerships emerged in the area.

During the programme, numerous improvements were made to the Kaukajärvi and Annala areas, which have increased residents' sense of wellbeing. Among other things, outdoor trails have been renovated and works of art have been painted on electrical distribution cabinets. The Riihiniemi beach has also been renovated and benches have been added in various parts of the neighbourhood.

More visible changes are still to come: the plan for a new school, daycare center, library, and youth facilities in Kaukajärvi has been approved, and there are plans to start super bus service in the area in 2028.

– The development of the Haihara manor has also brought new life to the area. Its position as a cultural center has been further strengthened as its activities have diversified and increased, says Sini Lempinen, project planner for the neighborhood program.

Resident survey is an important source of information

Information on the achievements of the Kaukajärvi and Annala neighbourhood programme has been compiled from several sources.

– We have used, among other things, the results of a resident survey, an stakeholder survey and a stakeholder workshop, says Kuitunen.

The feedback survey carried out in the autumn asked residents for their thoughts on the current state of the areas, possible changes during the neighborhood program (2023–2025), and their wishes for future development. The survey had 438 respondents, with roughly equal numbers living in Kaukajärvi and Annala.

When compared to the survey conducted at the beginning of the project, respondents' experiences of opportunities to influence, community spirit, reputation, safety, and comfort have changed only
slightly. The most noticeable change is in the experience of community spirit in the area, which has become slightly more positive.

The most significant development wishes of residents are to increase the range of leisure activities available and to improve traffic safety, particularly on Juvankatu. There is also a desire to improve the attractiveness of the urban environment, especially in the center of Kaukajärvi, and to address disruptive behavior. Overall, respondents' confidence in the positive development of the areas is at a good level (on a scale of 1-10, the average score was 7).

This year, the joint Haihara Christmas event also acted as the project's closing event for residents. Information about the developments made during the project was on display. The cards made in the Christmas card workshop were delivered to the Kaukaharju Center to be distributed to the elderly in the area, and many were eager to build a vision with Legos of what could happen in Kaukajärvi and Annala in 2040.