Rovaniemi Fighting Climate Change and Aiming for Carbon Negativity
- Let´s ensure that Rovaniemi sets ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and an action plan. Join the HINKU network.
- We will reduce traffic emissions by developing public transport, bike paths, and urban planning. Reduce lifecycle emissions of urban structures and construction.
- We want to enable easy car-free living for Rovaniemi residents, build an accessible living environment, and ensure that walking, cycling, and public transport are convenient and functional options. Invest in the condition and winter maintenance of pedestrian and bicycle routes following the Oulu model.
- Working towards reducing city’s consumption-based emissions, such as those from procurement and residents’ consumption.
- We want to enable the increase of decentralized and clean energy production with sustainable land use solutions, for example, wind and solar energy.
- Increase the energy production of public buildings and use renewable energy. Add solar panels to the roofs!
- Reduce the share of burning in heat and energy production and stop using peat by 2030. Invest in clean and decentralized energy production and move away from fossil fuels.
- Increase carbon sinks and storage in Rovaniemi. Extend the rotation period of commercial forests and also favor other carbon-sequestering forest uses.
- We will work to halve the use of animal-based products in municipal food services.
Nature Loving Rovaniemi Promoting Biodiversity
- We want the city to commit to sustainable nature and forest management. Increase biodiversity and the share of continuous cover forestry in the city’s forests.
- Let´s increase park areas in the city center and suburbs, take care of nearby forests and recreational areas, and emphasize the role of green areas in a pleasant urban environment. No road alignment through Mortti’s pine forest and Niemelänkangas green area!
- We ensure the consideration of biodiversity in the city zoning master plan and raise the city’s blue-green factor in the broad downtown area.
- We combat biodiversity loss in various ways and strive to become a nature-positive city. Preserving biodiversity is important also from the perspective of adapting to the climate crisis. We want to increase the number of nature reserves in Rovaniemi.
- Let´s take care of Rovaniemi’s water bodies, ensure their good condition now and in the future. Improve the living conditions and breeding opportunities of migratory fish.
- Ounasvaara must be preserved as a common nature, outdoor, and recreational destination for the entire city. Cherish Rovaniemi’s valuable fell nature, do not zone Ounasvaara for tourism or Pöyliövaara for housing.
- We hope to explore new growth directions for the city along the railway, according to the new 4-road alignment, and to villages where infrastructure and roads are ready.
- We do not allow mining projects in or near nature reserves.
Rovaniemi – a city that invests in Education and Early Childhood Education
- We hope to ensure high-quality and equal early childhood education and teaching, as well as sufficient resources for education, teaching, special education and materials.
- Let´s increase climate and environmental education in schools and opportunities for elective courses and the implementation of the municipal curriculum.
- We want to secure a functional school network as part of high-quality urban planning, which also considers local and village schools.
- We will work to provide children and young people with healthy, safe, and accessible facilities and appropriately small group sizes.
- Let´s bring more hobby opportunities to school days!
- Set zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination and violence occurring at school and online in Rovaniemi and ensure early intervention.
- Ensure good cooperation between the school and welfare areas, especially in school health care and mental health services.
- We wish to invest in the integration of children from different backgrounds and situations also through early childhood education and education.
- Let´s maintain Sámi language teaching and early childhood education.
- We will support the development of attractive secondary education and ensure the quality of teaching and the amount of in-person teaching.
- We want to create and develop pathways to higher education in Rovaniemi’s areas of strength. Build a fully English-language educational path from early childhood education to secondary education in Rovaniemi.
- We support the city’s goal of obtaining early childhood education training at the University of Lapland.
- We want to strengthen the cooperation between the city and higher education and ensure housing and settlement opportunities for both secondary and higher education students.
Our Common and Equal Rovaniemi
- We want to strengthen citizens’ opportunities to participate in the planning and development of the city and its services. Let´s introduce deliberative democracy into decision-making and program work. Increase participatory budgeting.
- We aim for good integration of the entire international human spectrum into Rovaniemi and hope to increase opportunities for study, work, and societal impact.
- We hope to ensure the availability of family apartments and housing for students, as well as peaceful housing for all residents in the city center. Let´s also ensure affordable housing opportunities in Rovaniemi.
- Let´s build a development plan for city neighborhoods and villages to ensure delightful housing conditions with lush parks and nearby forests – and accessibility of different areas by public transport. Turn villages into neighborhoods with rail connections!
- We want to plan and build the city according to the needs of its residents and demand high-quality urban planning that meets future challenges.
- Ensure that water utilities and infrastructure remain 100% municipally owned.
- We work to make the city’s decision-making more open and transparent and want to strengthen the role of the youth council and the councils for the elderly and disabled in decision-making.
- Our aim is to develop impact assessments for different groups in decision-making.
- We hope to take care of old buildings owned by the city and treat protected buildings with respect and appreciation.
- Our input ensures the good implementation of the equality and non-discrimination plan and we hope to make public spaces safe and accessible for everyone, and further develop anti-racist practices in the city’s operations.
Rovaniemi that Diversifies Its Economic Vitality and Appeal Factors
- Our vision is to invest in the future and enable sustainable activities through land use solutions, for example, in the production and utilization of renewable and clean energy, as well as improving energy efficiency.
- Our works ensures a sustainable and diverse foundation for the new city growth program, and a future-oriented approach – without forgetting nature as an attraction and retention power factor.
- We support entrepreneurship and culture in the creative industries as a source of vitality and appeal.
- Our aim is to develop tourism to be more ecologically and socially sustainable, and year-round. Invest in nature tourism and enable land-based travel.
- We hope to develop projects, programs, and forms of cooperation that engage the biggest beneficiaries of tourism in developing the city.
- Let´s develop opportunities and education for circular and moderate economies, so that companies are offered opportunities to develop business models other than growth-based ones. Build pilots in the city that utilize circular economy practices, companies, and guidelines.
- We want to make labor services more impactful and inclusive with employment experiments. Support the employment of young people, the long-term unemployed, immigrants, and special groups. Let´s strengthen cooperation between educational institutions and companies.
- Let´s make Rovaniemi a pioneer in location-independent work. Attract professionals from various fields and remote workers to the city.
- We envision investing in smart municipal financial management and applying for EU funding. Let´s participate in development and innovation networks and procure locally.
Rovaniemi that Invests in Well-being and Quality Leisure Time and Engages in Nature Activities
- Let´s make high-quality cultural offerings an attraction for both tourists and new residents. Support the working conditions of artists and ensure funding for culture.
- Our vision is to enable Valoasema (Light Station) – a cultural hot spot and hub that makes culture accessible for everyone and offers attractive experiences.
- Our aim is to engage citizens in enlivening urban culture by supporting grassroots cultural and event production and providing opportunities, spaces, and visibility for various activities.
- Let´s provide opportunities for various hobbies by supporting children’s and youth organizations, basic art education, and spaces for self-directed hobbies. Let´s open school spaces for use by hobbyists and clubs on weekends as well.
- Increase opportunities for sustainable nature activities, ensure rich hunting grounds and good fishing, berry picking, and mushroom picking opportunities in the vast city area.
- We want to enable access to nature and nature activities without a car!
- We work to maintain a high number of playgrounds, sports, and outdoor areas, and keep local fields, tracks, and outdoor routes in good condition. Let´s build a skate hall in Rovaniemi!
- We aim to cover the Konttinen summer theater, place the swimming hall in an easily accessible location by light and public transport, and develop park and beach areas into living rooms for Rovaniemi residents. Provide proper facilities for winter swimming in the city center!