Helsinki is one of the world's most northerly capitals, but it is by no means a city frozen in northern wastes. Situated along the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, magnificent lakes and forests reach into Helsinki's urban heart, a rare event in today's world of suburban sprawl. The city’s natural beauty, emphasized by parks and islands, is matched by an extraordinary cultural richness, the result of fruitful foreign influences and home-grown creativity. The Finnish capital offers a spectacular display of architecture and design: from the neoclassical magnificence imposed by a Russian Czar to the modernist chic of Nordic functionalism. Neil Kent explores the history and culture of the Daughter of the Baltic, a small fishing village that became a powerhouse of design and technology. Tracing its dramatic past of conflict and conflagration, he explores the evolution of a national, and urban, identity through architecture, art and writing. Through such differing cultural phenomena as saunas, railway stations and tango, he explains why Helsinki is a distinctive mix of tradition and innovation. • The city of architects and designers: Engel, Czar Alexander I and the creation of an imperial metropolis; Alvar Aaalto and the birth of the modern; functionalism and high-tech innovation. • The city of music and the arts: Sibelius, the national composer; conductors and performers; art galleries and installations; National Romanticism and the Nordic aesthetic. • The city of hospitality: Art Nouveau hotels and cafes; sauna culture; famous visitors and refugees: Lenin and Hitler; multicultural Helsinki and a history of migration.

Kent explores the history and culture of the "Daughter of the Baltic," a small fishing village that became a powerhouse of design and technology. Illustrations & maps.

In The Helsinki Effect, author Daniel Thomas argues that the Helsinki Final Act 1975 transformed East-West relations and provided a common platform around which opposition could mobilise.

Nigel Wallis leads you through all the best activities; unwind in the summer with the many parks, gardens and terrace cafés or try a spot of ice-swimming, cross-country skiing or beach hopping around the archipelago. Whenever you go, you will not fail to be captivated by Helsinki, with this guide being the perfect companion.

This book unravels the paradox of gentrification in Helsinki, Finland. Here, housing and welfare policies work well under certain conditions to prevent the worst outcomes of residential gentrification. Yet other forms of gentrification have proliferated in recent years, and local urban planning has gained a momentum in efforts to remake the urban landscape for business and tourism. Through a range of methods, each chapter approaches a different aspect of gentrification: the effectiveness of welfare policies against residential gentrification, the importance of retail gentrification and symbolic changes, the role of media and state-led tourism campaigns in promoting gentrification, the rise of vibrancy and sustainability as concepts driving regeneration, and the question of planning principles like participation in confronting gentrification. The reader will find a state system that supports a delicate balance in housing, but a local planning regime related to a more “generalized” gentrification. The results raise questions about the limits of the welfare state in an age of global competition. While new readers of gentrification will benefit from a deep engagement with the literature, the case of Helsinki is relevant to all students of planning, social sciences, and urban studies, as well as professionals in related fields.

Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, is a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Situated on the southern coast of the country, Helsinki opens up to the Gulf of Finland, offering stunning coastal views and a wealth of maritime activities. The city is known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, and high quality of life. As a city that embraces both historical heritage and cutting-edge innovation, Helsinki is a fascinating destination for travelers from around the globe. The charm of Helsinki lies in its seamless combination of urban living and nature. With numerous parks, islands, and waterfronts, the city provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. At the same time, Helsinki boasts a thriving arts scene, world-class museums, and a diverse culinary landscape. Its design district is a testament to the city's creativity and is home to numerous shops, galleries, and studios that showcase Finnish design. Helsinki's population is just over 650,000, making it a small yet bustling capital. It is the political, educational, financial, and cultural center of Finland. The city's infrastructure is top-notch, with an efficient public transportation system, well-maintained roads, and excellent healthcare facilities. English is widely spoken, making it easy for international visitors to navigate and communicate. In addition to its local attractions, Helsinki serves as a gateway to the rest of Finland and the Nordic countries. The city's ports and airports connect travelers to a myriad of destinations, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the region. Helsinki's climate is characterized by cold winters and mild summers, with long daylight hours in the summer due to its northern latitude. Whether you're drawn to its historical sites, modern attractions, or natural beauty, Helsinki offers something for everyone. This preface serves as a brief introduction to what makes Helsinki a special place and sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the city in the following chapters.

This handbook presents commissioned and uncommissioned street art in and from Helsinki. Helsinki is currently one of the few cities in Northern Europe with such a lively and eclectic menu of street art on its concrete and streets, and this beautiful form of art is constantly in transition. Street art does more than just offer outdoor entertainment; it frames the urban space and everyday with art. Vuojolainen interrogates whether street art and graffiti subculture offers alternative solutions to survive in urban jungles. The Pocket Handbook for Helsinki Street Art includes over 110 images. Os Gemeos (~ ̈), Thierry Noir, EGS, Ai Weiwei, Cindy Sherman, FOSKOR1, ChemiS, Miina Äkkijyrkkä, Edward von Lõngus, Breeze Yoko, Viv Magia, Hombre, Tasso, Georgia Laurie, Otto Maja, Poppamaija, Plan B, Li-Hill, Hellstrom are just some of the major practitioners whose works are illustrated in this volume. This handbook will be of great interest to researchers (GSAR), libraries, art galleries and museums. This volume is also easy accessible to community policy makers, urban planners, art historians, members of the news media and first of all to all ethnologists, street artists, street photographers and graffiti writers. Works perfectly also as a tourist guide to the Helsinki Street Art Scene.