Repurposing abandoned infrastructure as social infrastructure towards social inclusion: The case of Baana, Helsinki

Abstract

Within globally increasing challenges for the role of public spaces and their contribution to inclusion and justice within urban settings, this article examines the repurposing of transport infrastructure to provide car-free walking and cycling public spaces. Based on their planning and design, such spaces do not only cater for necessary functions but enable optional and social activities as explained by Jan Gehl. Spaces with safe walking and cycling routes enable inclusion, encounter and allow for spontaneous activities to occur. They allow users to experience the city at a different pace. These aspects support public familiarity and potentially the provision of spatially just urban environments. While the promotion of non-motorised mobility is often referred to in relation to reducing car-dependency and improving the quality of the urban environment, more could be explored on the role of such spaces as part of urban social infrastructure, using the lenses of just cities and the mobility turn (Sheller and Urry, 2006). Planning the integration and connectivity of a car-free safe space within the urban fabric and designing an environment conducive to non-motorised mobility, are factors that encourage panoply of activities by diverse users (Blitz and Lanzendorf, 2020; Maciorowski, and Souza, 2018). Moreover, perceptions of the space by pedestrians are affected by its walkability, the relation to the surroundings as well as the space’s cultural significance (Koohsari, Karakiewicz, and Kaczynski, 2013; Scarponi et al., 2023). This research investigates the case of Baana in Helsinki, Finland, a former freight railway conduit that was transformed in 2012 to a dedicated cycling and pedestrian route linking the city’s western part to the centre. This linkage is between the western seafront with the more recently developed residential and mixed-use areas, and the cultural hub of Helsinki. This hub has at its centre the largest linear park in Helsinki, and is flanked by the parliament, the main library Oodi, the Music House, and is in proximity to the central railway station, several museums and cultural buildings. The current 1.5 kilometres route is connected at several crossings to the surroundings, and is designed with the integration of vegetation, urban furniture and some sports areas to encourage usage for different activities. In addition to the reviewed literature, the review of the planning process and observations over a period of half a year serve to provide information on the types of users and activities along this space. Findings indicate that Baana is not only a space of transit. The design of the route, the generated atmosphere, the introduction of art, and its maintenance are assessed in terms of their impact on users’ activities and perceptions of safety. The findings serve to explore opportunities for identifying other potential abandoned infrastructure sites towards their conversion to serve as social infrastructure.