Participation in Tampere survey
The City of Tampere aims to offer residents a wide range of ways to participate and influence the development of the city. The experiences, views and wishes of residents on participation and community are explored through a participation survey, which is carried out every two years.
Participation in Tampere survey 2024
The Participation in Tampere survey was conducted for the second time in autumn 2024. The aim was to gather information from residents on how they experience the city's opportunities for participation and communication related to participation opportunities. The survey also explored how communal residents find the city.
The survey was open in November 2024 and received a total of 1 229 responses. The survey was conducted electronically, but it was also possible to fill in a paper questionnaire at the Metso Main Library and at the City Service Point.
The survey explored the awareness of and interest in participation opportunities. The survey found that the most well-known forms of participation were voting in elections, responding to city surveys, giving feedback and acting for your neighbourhood. The most interesting but less familiar forms of participation were developing city services with others, participating in residents' events and commenting on urban planning.
The results showed that communication could be improved: only about a third of respondents felt that information about participation opportunities was easy to find and clearly communicated. Communication on the impact of participation was also felt to be insufficient. Respondents wished to receive information through home distribution of magazines, e-mail and local newspapers. The most important topics for influencing were urban planning, children and youth issues, and nature and climate issues.
One of the key findings of the survey was a stronger sense of community. In 2022, only 31,7 % of respondents felt that Tampere was a communal city but in 2024, 59,5 % felt this way. Respondents highlighted a number of factors that strengthen the sense of community, such as events in the neighbourhoods, neighbourhood support and meeting places such as libraries. The issue of facilities was also raised, with requests for more meeting spaces in neighbourhoods.
Answering the survey was largely perceived as easy - over 90 % found it easy or very easy. Respondents praised the clarity and technical functionality of the survey.
The Participation survey is one way to find out residents' views on participation and community involvement. In addition, experiences are collected in a variety of ways. The results of the survey will be used in the development of the city's participation work and in the evaluation of the City of Tampere's participation and community involvement plan, together with other data.
Participation in Tampere survey 2022
In a participation survey from 20.9.–2.10.2022, Tampere residents were asked how the city could improve its participation and community involvement work so that residents could make their voices heard better in the development of common issues. At the same time, respondents were asked about their experience of Tampere's sense of community. The survey received 1064 responses. The results were used as a basis for the preparation of the City of Tampere's Participation and community involvement plan (2023).
Of the respondents, 73 % were women, 20 % men and 1 % of other genders. 6 % of respondents did not wish to identify or disclose their gender. The age groups 20–39, 40–59 and 60–75 were evenly represented. In contrast, respondents under 20 and over 75 were few.
According to the results of the survey, the people of Tampere have views and a desire to participate in the development of Tampere. Respondents felt that the city offers good opportunities for participation and influence. However, the belief that their participation has an impact on the city's activities is low. This reduces the willingness to take a stand and weakens trust in the city.
The results also highlighted a lack of information. Respondents wanted more information on the different ways to participate and on current issues where they could have a say. The follow-up of the results of participation should also be improved.
According to the survey, Tampere is perceived as a fairly community-oriented city. Residents are particularly interested in having a say in their own neighbourhood and in matters related to their daily lives. They would like to see events in their own home area to inform them about local issues.
Exploiting the results of the survey
The results of the survey were used in the preparation of the city's new Participation and community involvement plan. The new plan was approved by the City Council in August 2023.
Based on the survey and other research, the city's participation and community involvement work will focus on three main themes in the coming years:
- Strengthening opportunities for participation
- Supporting community-based action and acting as a trusted partner for communities
- Developing skills and leadership to mainstream inclusion