The City of Tampere wants to strengthen residents’ opportunities to participate in the development of their own neighbourhoods. In Hervanta, this is now taking concrete form: several improvements aimed at enhancing the area’s livability are being implemented in the city centre, based on residents’ views and wishes. Hervanta is one of the target areas of the 2026–2029 Neighbourhood Development Program, and the improvements currently being implemented are part of the area’s development.
– Ideas for developing the city centre were gathered from various sources, such as previous resident surveys, surveys targeting young people, and discussions with local stakeholders. These revealed a desire for cleanliness, safety, green spaces, recreational areas, lighting and art, as well as opportunities for youth activities, says Coordinator Sini Lempinen.
In March, Hervanta residents had the opportunity to evaluate and select proposals during a Tampere Residents’ Evening -event and through an online survey. A total of about 230 residents shared their views on what measures would best enhance the area’s livability.
Residents’ views were incorporated into the planning process, and the ideas were reviewed together with various city officials to develop an implementable plan. Not all requests could be implemented exactly as proposed, but through collaboration, progress was made on several issues important to residents.
One of the most visible initiatives is the expansion of Tampere Festival of Light to Hervanta, which brings light and a welcoming atmosphere to the area during the dark season. Experiential lighting installations will be set up at the Hervanta Trio Welfare Center, the Hervanta Leisure Center, Valtaraitti and Ahvenispuisto. The goal is for these light experiences to continue bringing joy during Tampere Festival of Light in the years to come. This year, the event is scheduled to begin on October 23, 2026.
The Hervanta town center area will be revitalized by displaying art on the windows and doors of the former movie theater. The area’s appeal will also be enhanced by renovating the Ahvenisjärvi pier and replacing its benches.
The wishes of young people are strongly reflected in these projects. A basketball court and an authorized graffiti wall have been built near the Hehku Youth Center, located within the Hervanta Leisure Center. The graffiti wall offers a space open to everyone to create art and express themselves. The graffiti wall’s opening ceremony was held as part of Hervanta Summer Day on June 11, 2026.
During the planning phase, some of the projects expanded beyond the original plans. For example, the basketball throwing area that the youth had hoped for was incorporated into the overall project, and the scope of the light art installations also grew through collaboration.
“The original operating budget of 50,000 euros served as a good starting point, and thanks to this collaboration, Hervanta will now see a broader range of projects that enhance the area’s livability than originally planned,” says Henna Kuitunen, who is responsible for coordinating neighbourhood development.
The livability and vibrancy of Hervanta’s city centre are being enhanced by implementing residents’ ideas in the area’s development. These initiatives create more opportunities for spending time outdoors, socializing, and engaging in activities. This fulfills the Housing and Real Estate Committee’s goal of strengthening resident participation and improving livability in the target areas of neighborhood development.
