The alliance contract for the Kupittaa partnership project (Kupittaan kärjen kumppanuushanke) was signed on Monday, 27 March 2023, confirming the transition to the project’s development phase.
“From the point of view of urban development, the Kupittaa partnership project implementing the development of the Turku Science Park is one of the key major projects in Turku. Turku Science Park will become a significant hub of work and education, providing a platform for the encounters of both current and future top talents. With the Kupittaa Core overall plan and the new traffic arrangements, the area’s central role as a link between the routes of different modes of transport will increase even further,” says Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku.
A vision for an entirely new district is being created at the one time.
The Terävin kärki alliance consortium consists of YIT Finland Ltd, Lundén Architecture Oy and Arkkitehdit von Boehm – Renell Oy, as well as COBE A/S, AFRY Finland Oy and WSP Finland Oy as designated subcontractors. The consortium was selected to implement the Kupittaa partnership project through a public procurement procedure, the decision of which was confirmed by the Turku City Board in December 2022.
“The parties of the alliance form an entity consisting of very different strengths, which enables a balanced and diverse development of the area. This is an exceptional project, as a vision for an entirely new district is being created at the one time, and the parties of the alliance have an ambitious attitude towards this task,” says Ari Mäkinen, Managing Director of Turun teknologia- ja tiedepuisto Oy.
During the development phase now underway, project plans will be drawn up for the deck structure crossing Helsinginkatu and the railway, the related obligatory parking hall and the Taito campus. During the development phase, a local detailed plan will also be drawn up for the planning area.
The project will have major impacts on many other projects in the development of the Kupittaa area and the entire city of Turku.
The overall plan for Kupittaa Core (Kupittaan kärki) and the local detailed plan following the overall plan will develop the area both functionally and in terms of traffic. The preparation of the overall plan is guided by the principles of sustainable urban development and responsibility, as well as the comprehensive consideration of the needs of the future actors in the area. The transport solution to be drafted must be flexibly linked to the rest of the city’s transport services. It is also important to create an area that is vital and functional 24/7, all year round.
“The project will have major impacts on many other projects in the development of the Kupittaa area and the entire city of Turku. It is a great pleasure to be able to implement such a significant and extensive project together with experienced and competent partners,” says Eero Lundén, Director of Lundén Architecture Oy.
"We are delighted that the alliance agreement has now been signed and we can start the development phase of the project. I believe that in the development phase, we will succeed in working with the parties to clarify and improve the plan in many ways. Kupittaa Core is one of YIT's largest and most important strategic urban development projects, and we will utilise the lessons learnt in it in all of our operating countries,” says Juha Kostiainen, EVP, Urban Development and ESG at YIT.
Kupittaa is a familiar operating environment for YIT, as it has implemented several projects in the area in recent years. Examples of these include the office and commercial property Intelligate, EduCity in the Kupittaa campus and the recently completed ParkCity, the city's largest parking hall.
The aim is to bring the project plans of the Kupittaa Core infrastructure project and Taito campus for decision-making at the beginning of 2024. The project plans will be approved by the Turku City Council.