Environment and nature

The urban environment in Tampere is pleasant and safe, and the aim is to keep Tampere that way through city planning and care of the environment.

Tampere pays special attention to the welfare of the environment. The ecological effects of decisions and activities are assessed and the environment is also taken into account in business life, land use planning and all activities of the authorities.

In Tampere, official environmental and health protection is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Department. Its duties include food control, waste control, environmental protection, the monitoring of both water quality in waterways and air quality, noise reduction and home inspections. The office also handles environmental permits. The Environmental Protection Department contributes to ecologically sustainable development in municipal administration and activities.

The planning of green areas is the responsibility of the City Planning Services. The plans for green areas are ordered by the Urban Development unit. The building and upkeep of green areas, including forest care, is the responsibility of the Green Areas Division of Public Space Construction and Maintenance.

Green areas and waters

In 2004 there were appoximately 2,650 hectares of recreational areas in Tampere. Some of the most important recreational areas are Kauppi-Niihama, Pyynikki, areas of Kaukajärvi and Suolijärvi and Kalevanharju. There are also conservation areas in Tampere. For example, the Pyynikki conservation area is near the city centre. The largest conservation area is in Vattula in Teisko.

24 per cent of Tampere's surface area is water and there are 180 lakes in Tampere. The largest lakes are lake Pyhäjärvi and lake Näsijärvi. The quality of water is mostly good.

Sustainable development

Pre-Sud is a partnership project that explores the contribution that European cities can make to sustainable development. Tampere is one of the nine partners cities. The project began in November 2001 and ended in October 2004.

Pre Sud - Peer Review for European Sustainable Urban Development, Performance Assessment of the City of Tampere 2003 (pdf, 1 MB)