Helsinki and Espoo compete over location of Aalto University

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The new Aalto University that is likely to be created in Finland has generated a heated debate in the Greater Helsinki area, as both the capital and the neighbouring city of Espoo would like to offer a plot for the main building and campus of the university.
      The proposed merger of the Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), the Helsinki School of Economics (HKKK), and the University of Art and Design Helsinki (TaiK) is to start operating in the autumn of 2009.
     
On Monday, when the Helsinki University of Technology was celebrating its centenary, Espoo promised to build a hostel and a meeting venue for foreign researchers and professors in Otaniemi.
      ”The project will support the planned Aalto University and the requirements for its internationalisation”, noted Espoo Mayor Marketta Kokkonen.
      In 2007, Espoo started to zone land for the future Otaniemi Metro station southwest of the present TKK main building. The main building of the planned Aalto University would also be located in the same area.
      The City Planning Department of Espoo is to discuss the new zoning plan at the beginning of October.
     
However, the City of Helsinki would also like to be the host of the new top university's key structures. Various services for the students of the Aalto University could be provided in connection with Helsinki’s planned new Central Library in the Töölönlahti Bay area.
      ”While actual teaching could take place on campuses, the Töölönlahti Bay site could offer a meeting place for students”, offered Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen on Monday.
      The City Planning Department of Helsinki has examined the prerequisites for a top-level campus in Helsinki. According to the city, both the Töölö-Kamppi campus of HKKK and the premises of TaiK in Arabianranta could be expanded.
     
”TaiK’s present premises are in an old Arabia factory and are not very suitable for a university, with plenty of wasted space”, comments Director Juha Lemström from Senate Properties, an enterprise under the Ministry of Finance.
      However, the HKKK buildings in Töölö are in a very good condition, as they were renovated recently, Lemström added.
      Senate Properties owns plenty of land in Otaniemi, including all TKK buildings.
      According to Lemström, the asset of Otaniemi is the forthcoming Metro connection from Helsinki.
      However, if a decision is made to build a new campus in Otaniemi, the project will last at least 10 years. In other words, the universities will remain in their present locations at least for the time being.
     
A final decision on the main building and premises of the proposed new top university will be made by the board of the foundation that maintains the university.
      Matti Alahuhta, the recently appointed Chairman of the Board of the foundation, is unwilling to comment on the location issue in any way as yet.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Board of planned Aalto University to convene Friday (13.8.2008)
  Idea of Finnish top university generates heated debate (17.4.2007)

Links:
  Aalto University
  Helsinki University of Technology

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