Allotments spatialisation

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

The meaning of social sustainability is to guarantee equal chances and basic need for all and the idea is to have these standards of living to pass on from one generation to other in society. The goal of our government is to increase social sustainability in Finland by for example preventing loneliness, and exclusion of individuals, improving well-being and social functioning of the health and living environment of the population. In this era of climate change and other environmental crises, uncertainty about the future may get the best of our minds. Changing or destroying natural environments as well as pressures to reform working life and lifestyles require challenge as most changes do. Improving society's resilience to crises is one of the tasks of ecological reconstruction. This resilience can be increased by reasonable self-sufficiency, the ability to meet basic needs with few resources, and close social relationships. (KeKe, 2021)

In a study made by BIOS it was discovered that there are many relations between a healthier and more ecological lifestyle like for example less pollution, everyday exercise and vegetarian diet. Also being in contact with nature and living the rural lifestyle has a positive effect on our overall immune system. By increasing peoples heath one can prevent the stress directed to our health services and it will play a major role in our public health. (BIOS, 2019)

AREAL PLAN:

Some concrete way in the development of social sustainability is the emphasis on the uniqueness and rich nature of Kanta-Häme in the region by bringing the rural to the cities. This means adding various rentable small-scale farming plots and allotment gardens to the Hämeenlinna area. We believe that allotment gardens contribute to the growth of the general atmosphere and mental wellbeing and experience of community and activate the inhabitants of the area. Small-scale farming plots are way to include citizens in a light and experimental way to local food production as well as to the root of nature. Allotments create a more natural atmosphere that the whole Kanta-Häme region embraces to balance all the urban and build environment and.

In future greener Kanta-Häme allotments will be part of social sustainability and reconstruction and part take to the social well-being of the citizens. Allotments will be offered as an opportunity to be be closer to the nature and to benefit one's social and physical health rather than as an actual food production option. With these actions we also want increase information about food production and vegetarian diet as well as bringing people back to their roots.

ALLOTMENT THEMATIC MAP:

This map shows where the current existing allotments are located.

FUTURE ALLOTMENT THEMATIC MAP

This thematic map shows where the future allotments and roof top gardens could be located in Hämeenlinna centrum area. The close ups are of Verkatehdas public roof garden and one the allotments located in the northern part of the centre near Paroinen ja Puistonmäki neighbourhoods.

Hämeenlinna 1:100

= Allotments and roof gardens

= Current public transportation route

= Potential area for allotments and roof gardens

ALLOTMENTS AND ROOF GARDENS - RURAL TO THE CITIES

The allotments and roof gardens are focused in Kanta-Häme area and they are placed according to the investigation that has been made of population intenstity in different parts of the city. We found that the city centre and the population intensity spreads in three different directions creating different sections to focus on. When bringing rural to the cities the focus will being on the centre area and the and the most crowded living areas around it.

The allotments will be located near to the citizens, the will be easily accessible and part of the general atmosphere of greener Hämeenlinna. The idea is that they are easily accessible with public transportation or bicycle. There were already a few allotments near to the city centre, but in order to intensify the greener life style, its possibilities and the scenery it can offer, there will be way more options to choose on and some of the allotments will located on top of the buildings and work as roof gardens. In the marked focus regions the change will be the most prominent and the allotments will become part of the overall atmosphere of the areas benefiting the citizens social well-being.

The most perceptible of the allotments will be the one located on top Verkatehdas in the city centre. Verkatehdas being the centre of culture will be the number one indentifier of the allotment and food porduction culture of greener Hämeenlinna offering healthty hobbies to the citizens as well as fresh local food and view of the greenery. Other similar roof top gardens will be located to the city centre area, some public and some used by the residents of the housing. Most of the allotments in the neighborhoods will be public and rentable as well as the roof top garden located on top of Verkatehdas. They are meant to provide a hobby and an opportunity to stay in touch with the rural while living the urban live in a city.