Hämeenlinna strengthens its position as a pioneer in security – new programme combines security, well-being, and vitality

In Hämeenlinna, security is seen as a cross-cutting principle that guides all decision-making and service development. The goal is to ensure that residents can live a safe everyday life even in a changing and uncertain operating environment, where global crises, economic shifts, and demographic trends are reflected in local daily life.

The programme is based on a comprehensive security model where authorities, the business community, organisations, and residents work together. The entity is built on three mutually reinforcing priorities:

• everyday security, which is reflected in functioning services, safe living environments, and smooth mobility
• mental resilience, which strengthens the ability of communities and individuals to face change and uncertainty
• security as vitality, where a safe and predictable operating environment supports business activities, investments, and employment

The programme directly implements the key objective of the Hämeenlinna City Strategy to become a pioneer in security. Security is linked more strongly than before to the city’s competitiveness and growth. A special focus is placed on so-called industrial resilience, where the needs of security and security of supply are turned into new business, expertise, and jobs.

The programme also serves as a unifying framework for the city’s other strategic programmes. It combines, among other things, the promotion of well-being and health, the development of a child-friendly city, economic policy, climate work, and culture and participation into a single managed entity. In this way, security is not a separate sector, but the common foundation for the city’s development.
Strategically, the programme marks a shift from traditional risk management towards proactive and impactful leadership, where security is part of the city’s appeal, investment capacity, and everyday well-being.

Director of Strategic Affairs Markku Rimpelä emphasises the importance of the programme for the development of the entire city:

In Hämeenlinna, security is more than just preparedness – it is a central part of the city’s vitality and competitiveness. This programme integrates security into strategic management and combines everyday security, well-being, and the development of livelihoods into a single entity. At the same time, we create conditions for investment, strengthen residents’ trust, and build sustainable growth even in an uncertain world.

The implementation of the programme is based on cooperation and more efficient allocation of existing resources. It does not increase permanent costs, but strengthens impact by bringing fragmented activities together and directing them strategically. Progress is monitored systematically using indicators for security, well-being, and vitality.

The new security programme strengthens Hämeenlinna’s position in national development and creates a basis for the city’s profiling as a pioneer in comprehensive security. It builds security into a concrete competitive advantage – a factor that attracts residents, businesses, and investments, and supports the city’s long-term sustainable growth.

Read the programme:

Further information