Huge crowd forms within minutes as Kamppi Commercial Center opens in downtown Helsinki

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In the future, an estimated 150,000 people will pass through Helsinki's new Kamppi Center every day. One could get an idea of the number just by looking at the huge crowd that formed within a few minutes on Thursday, when the first units of the multifunctional commercial complex were opened to the public.
      The opening ceremony was conducted by President Tarja Halonen, who switched on the escalator leading to the adjoining Kamppi metro station. Schoolchildren from Helsinki's Ruoholahti primary school rode up the escalator to meet the President with some bouquets of violets and lilies-of-the-valley in their hands.
     
"The first impression was good", said many visitors. "The mall is fine and elegant."
      An hour after the opening ceremony, a number of interested people were waiting for a guided tour around the new bus terminals. While thinking that the idea to place platforms and buses at some distance from each other was good in order to keep travellers away from cigarette smoke, noise, and rain, some visitors were doubtful about the capacity of the terminals during rush hours.
     
Many people also expressed concerns about security. Will the structures be strong enough? How about getting through power outages? Is there a preparedness plan for potential bomb threats?
      On the other hand, one of the prerequisites was that the concrete structures are strong and durable, and there will be no need to repair them in the next hundred years, or even considerably longer.
      When the Kamppi Center with its three squares is completed, it will be the largest contiguous pedestrian zone in Helsinki, as the long-distance and Espoo bus terminals will be re-located underground. The complex extends over 4 hectares above ground, with a further three hectares of space below the surface.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Kamppi Commercial Center to open tomorrow in downtown Helsinki (1.6.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat