.

What makes an
attractive city?

Olli Rantala, Head of planning, City of Oulu, Finland

Few facts about Oulu

Oulu
Region: Oulu, Finland
Coordinates: 65°01' N, 25°28' E
Elevation: 0 meters (0 feet)
Time Zone: (GMT + 2:00)
Surface area 3 880 km²
Land 3031 km²
Water 849 km²
Population 31.12.2017 : 201 810
Nature, silence, and history of the area are
important characteristics, but you need
more...
PULSE
OF
OULU
• Talented people, who have options, are now
more likely to choose the city rather than the
job. This dramatically changes the requirements
of a city. The level of attractiveness and urban
vitality are now powerfully influential factors.
The city must provide a much richer sensory
experience both in how it looks, feels and in the
activities it offers
Place matters as never before. City’s
primary concern must be to
increase its sparkle and liveliness as
what attracts those people whom it
needs in the future through
liveability, creativity and a
distinctive culture.
Urban culture is the key to creating the urban
experience for the community and those who visit as
well as the image of the city and its external
resonance. This is increasingly important in keeping
the best in Oulu and attracting outsiders.
City must have
understanding that
culture and especially
urban culture can drive
city development
A creative city is formed through
combining different skills not just
technical planning
The City Center must have high quality,
buildings and place for people to walk and
take control of the city
Successful city making
understands urbanity. This
is the art and science of
how the hardware and
the software blend
together
As the city grows issues like light rail will need to be made
to connect the various communities better together
There is a strong emphasis on functionalism in Oulu.
Things must work. But basic infrastructure from
electricity pylons, to bridges, to roads, to interchanges,
to schools and much more can look aesthetically
attractive.
Cultural development needs flexibility within cultural
budgets to fund new initiatives, one-off activities and
experimental work outside of the mainstream. The cultural
department must act as an enabler rather than sole
producer.
The first impression matters
the most!
The city should provide
high quality event spaces.
The city must create more
visibility for the students
Oulu Architectural Plan –
a strategy for more
attractive city
Oulu StreetArt 1000
paintings of Oulu – a
model for
enabling paintings in
the public spaces
 Plan for a new and
renevated city attraction
with art, history and
technology.

strong trend to raise the

bar on what
infrastructure looks and
feels like.
Cities should profile itself more
through events. They should
also encourage people and event
producers to create
new event concepts.
• Here 2min 39 s. video will be played:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no9mXJ0QaMM&list
=PLkcwgUIxt-
HlLoCK_gUO0tpexR0iuqvvM&index=19&t=0sa
Thank You!