Renovated Puutarhakatu provides better conditions for pedestrians and cyclists

The renovation of Puutarhakatu began in March 2025. The main objective of the project was to renew underground infrastructure that had reached the end of its service life, such as water and sewerage pipes. District cooling pipes were also installed under the street, and electricity and telecommunications networks were renewed.

At the same time, conditions for walking and cycling, traffic safety and accessibility on Puutarhakatu were improved, and the street environment was made more pleasant. The renovation of Puutarhakatu was one of the measures included in the Tampere City Centre 2040 development programme, approved by the City Board in spring 2023, to renew streets in the city centre.

The street was renewed from below ground to the surface

The aim of the renovation was to carry out as many upgrades to different networks and structures as possible at the same time, reducing the need to reopen the street in the coming years.

The renovated section has a wider two-way bicycle path on the northern side of the street and pavements on both sides. Puutarhakatu forms part of the regional east-west main cycling route.

The one-way carriageway for motor vehicles has been retained. Stormwater management was also improved and street lighting was renewed. Parking spaces for cars, bicycles and electric scooters were added, along with loading places for maintenance and service traffic. More street trees and planting areas were also added, making the street greener and more pleasant.

Roadworks committee brought the voices of street users into the project

As part of the renovation of Puutarhakatu, a roadworks committee was piloted as a new form of participation. The committee included residents and entrepreneurs as well as people who use and work on the street. They were able to follow the progress of the project and discuss its impacts.

During the construction work, the committee provided feedback and suggestions for improvement on issues such as worksite lighting, parking, communications and the functionality of temporary arrangements. The feedback was used in the implementation of both the construction work and communications during the project.

The aim of the committee was to make getting around near the worksite as smooth as possible and to reduce the inconvenience caused by construction.

– We wanted to use the roadworks committee to see whether the disruption experienced because of construction work could be reduced by providing a direct channel for discussion and up-to-date information to those affected by the work. The experiences were encouraging, and many committee members found the approach useful, says Mikko Siiro, Construction engineer at the City of Tampere.

Completion of Puutarhakatu to be celebrated on 4 November

The completion of the renovated Puutarhakatu will be celebrated on Wednesday 4 November 2026 from 2 pm to 7 pm. Residents can explore the completed street, learn about its new features and find out how the project was carried out. Throughout the afternoon and evening, there will be a variety of activities and information points along the street, as well as opportunities to meet the people involved in the project and local businesses and organisations.

The event is organised jointly by the City of Tampere and Tampere Tunnetuksi ry. Tampereen Infra, Tampereen Energia and Tampereen Vesi will also take part in the event.