City Strategy Objectives

Five objectives have been identified for the Hämeenlinna City Strategy: a pioneer in security, a flexible partner for businesses, an interesting and vibrant city centre, an attractive hometown for families with children, and a renewing city of culture.

Pioneer in Security

Our objective is to become a pioneer in comprehensive security by utilising the city’s location, strong defence industry, and the opportunities created by our diverse economic structure. We attract investments and jobs in the defence and security sectors to Hämeenlinna.

We promote community spirit and everyday security for residents. We seek solutions to strengthen security of supply and crisis resilience by bringing actors together and building cooperation networks.

Differentiating Factors:

• Central location and security of supply infrastructure: a nationally critical transport and security of supply network passes through the city, providing fast connections to airports, ports, and other key destinations.
• Strong defense industry: alongside Tampere, Jyväskylä, and the Helsinki metropolitan area, Hämeenlinna is one of the country’s most significant defense industry clusters.
• Combining psychological crisis resilience and culture: the city profiles itself as a safe living environment where cultural and educational services support the crisis resilience of society.
  

Programmes Supporting the Achievement of the Objective:

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A flexible partner for businesses

Hämeenlinna actively supports entrepreneurship and business growth, offering comprehensive services for business relocation. We focus particularly on opportunities for renewing production, smart bio- and agriculture, and business related to tourism and events. The city is known as a desired partner and a competitive place for growth.

We resolutely promote research, development, and innovation cooperation between educational institutions and companies, and assist companies in identifying financing options. We promise a solution-oriented approach and partnership.

The future of Hämeenlinna is built on a competitive location, growing and internationalizing companies, attractive housing and urban culture, sustainable development solutions, and good availability of labor.

Differentiating Factors:

• Central location and security of supply infrastructure: the city is a nationally important hub for the transport and logistics network, combining a motorway, railway, and good connections to major urban centers.
• Sustainable and diverse business environment: the city’s key industrial actors, educational institutions, research institutes, and the availability of labour enable the sustainable growth of production. The city’s business conditions are managed collaboratively and based on data. Vitality services are provided as local services.
• Strategic development projects supporting vitality: The MORE business area, city centre development, and HAMK real estate solutions are projects that together increase the city’s attractiveness. We promote the establishment of the Evo Science National Park.

Programmes Supporting the Achievement of the Objective:

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Interesting and Vibrant City Centre

The city centre is the easily accessible and interesting heart of our city, where events take place all year round. In the growing city centre, people live, study, work, and enjoy themselves. ​​​

Our objective is to increase the number of residents, tourists, and businesses, as well as the provision of services in the city centre. The city centre combines cultural-historical strengths, parks and waterfronts offering recreation, and modern living and working solutions.

The development of the area strengthens our position as an internationalizing, attractive, and safe city for living.

Differentiating Factors:

• Parks and shores as part of the city centre: Hämeenlinna is known nationally as a city of parks, and the design of the city centre utilizes exceptionally extensive green and water areas. ​​​
• Cultural history and proximity to the castle: the city centre is closely connected to a nationally significant and unique cultural landscape and the castle area.
• Strategic development projects revitalizing the city centre: The Ykköskortteli block, Hämeensaari, the Lyseo block, Linnanpuisto, and HAMK relocation solutions bring new functions, businesses, and more people to the city centre.

Programmes Supporting the Achievement of the Objective:

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Attractive Hometown for Families with Children

We offer children and young people a safe and encouraging environment for growth, learning, and participation, and we promote children’s rights. Our objective is pleasant and safe residential areas for families with children near Comprehensive Schools and daycare centres. We are committed to promoting the skills, well-being, and active lifestyles of children and young people, as well as their employment opportunities.

We ensure a smooth path for the growth and learning of children and young people from early childhood education through pre-primary and basic education to secondary education and higher education studies, in cooperation with other education providers and the wellbeing services county.

Differentiating Factors:

• Child-friendly Hämeenlinna: a child-friendly mindset is established and reflected in the city’s way of operating throughout the organization. ​​​
• High-quality children’s culture: a high-standard offering of children’s culture supports the growth and learning of children and young people. ​​
• Healthy and safe facilities: schools, daycares, and hobby facilities are maintained, and repairs are carried out on time.
• Well-being through community: we invest in the prevention of bullying and in integration.

Programmes Supporting the Achievement of the Objective:

• Residential City Programme

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A renewing city of culture

Hämeenlinna is known for its diverse and year-round cultural and event offerings. Culture and versatile events enliven both the city centre and the sub-districts, serving seasonal residents as well. This diverse cultural offering is produced by both culture and arts professionals and active residents alike. ​​

Our objective is to be a nationally significant event city, where the offering is characterised by a strong cultural heritage and diverse content. Hämeenlinna’s cultural sites, sports venues, and unique natural attractions, including Aulanko, Ahvenisto, and the Evo area, are nationally renowned and valued.

Differentiating Factors:

• Historical and cultural identity: Häme Castle, the Verkatehdas area, and a strong cultural heritage across the city create a unique cityscape that few Finnish cities possess.
• A combination of nature and culture: Nature and water features are located close to the city centre, enabling nature and cultural experiences during the same visit. The Evo area is the jewel among the natural sites of the parishes.
• Diverse event and cultural hub: An extensive range of festivals and events, as well as the Verkatehdas area, Linnanpuisto, and the Ahvenisto motor racing circuit, support local, national, and international attractiveness.

Programmes Supporting the Achievement of the Objective:

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