Tampere is Finland's most attractive city
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s perceptions and expectations regarding their living environment . The most important factors contributing to a city’s appeal are the , as well as a sense of community. The most attractive cities in Finland cities are Tampere and Kuopio. Among the ten largest cities, , Jyväskylä, Turku, Oulu, and Espoo also receive high ratings.
T-Media’s Attractiveness & Impact survey examined the views of potential residents on the attractiveness of Finland’s ten largest cities. Although there are clear differences in the ratings received by the cities surveyed, on average, the cities receive the highest ratings for their location, the services they offer, and the vitality of the area.
Tampere stands out among the ten largest cities: it ranks first in both attractiveness and reputation. In addition to the Attractiveness & Impact model, the reputation of Tampere and the other cities studied was assessed Reputation&Trust, which measures, among other things, the effectiveness of city administration and the city’s reputation as an employer.
Attraction and trust must be earned
Tampere is a prime example of a city that has long worked to enhance various aspects of its appeal and reputation. It is the only city to receive an excellent rating in the “vitality” category, which reflects a growing economic region where businesses thrive.
– At the heart of our success lies strong collaboration with local businesses, the business community, and the academic community. Our largest demographic group consists of 24-year-olds, who are the driving force behind expertise, innovation, and development. Of course, we can’t become the number one city just by relying on businesses, schools, and workplaces; we also need culture, experiences, and effective services, as well as investments to support well-being and growth. We receive widespread praise for this ability to make decisions and improve the lives of Tampere residents, says Tampere Mayor Lauri Lyly.
Jarmo Pirhonen, Mayor of Kuopio, emphasizes that nothing comes for free. The city’s attractions, strengths, and weaknesses must first be identified. Once they have been identified, a great deal of systematic work is required.
– Ultimately, it’s also about the vision guiding the city’s development. High resident satisfaction creates a strong foundation for a positive cycle that radiates outward. “We have succeeded in creating a positive atmosphere, and the city’s decision-makers and the rest of the organization deserve credit for that,” says Pirhonen.
University towns are attractive
In the Attractiveness & Impact survey, the typical university towns—Tampere, Kuopio, Jyväskylä, Turku, Oulu, and Espoo—all receive high marks for their attractiveness.
The results may be considered somewhat surprising. Helsinki ranks last in terms of overall appeal among the ten largest cities, even though it receives the highest score for its location, alongside Tampere.
– This can be partly explained by two factors where Helsinki performs poorly: its cost structure and respondents’ views on the environment. It is interesting to note that the neighboring city of Espoo receives high marks specifically for its environment. Respondents perceive Espoo as a safe and pleasant place to live, notes Kari Väisänen of T-Media, who is in charge of the study.
Here's how the study was conducted
The results are based on the "Attractiveness & Impact"survey, which examined the appeal of Finland’s ten largest cities by population , particularly among potential residents. A total of . The target group for the survey consisted of Finns aged 15–65 , excluding the Åland Islands. In T-Media’s Attractiveness & Impact survey model, a city’s attractiveness score is calculated as the average of six different categories: vitality, community, environment, location, services, and cost structure.
For more information:
Kari Väisänen, Senior Advisor, T-Media
+358 400 138767
(Photo: Laura Vanzo)
