The report of the planning process of Turku’s new railway access to the passenger harbour out-lines the different steps, partners and permissions needed to plan the new railway access to the harbour.

Report’s key takeaways 

In Turku harbour, the aim is, that the passenger and cargo traffic travelling to the new joint terminal will be directed to the port from a new location. The location of the train track plays a major role when it comes to the development possibilities of the surrounding area. The passenger railway connection and its loca-tion affect the future of the area: the port of Turku’s and shipping companies’ operations, travellers’ and residents’ mobility options, new museum’s operations and city’s possibilities for urban development. The report sheds light on how the railway connection affects many different stakeholders and why it is crucial to involve them in the planning process. The planning requires close cross-governmental cooperation as well as open interaction between external stakeholders. The support of political decision-makers is im-portant too and that is why it’s essential to keep them informed and involved.

The report states, that the planning of the relocation of the railway is time-consuming and the implemen-tation is costly. Land use opportunities, culturally and historically valuable surroundings as well as many other factors affect the final outcome. It is important to take these aspects into careful consideration from the very beginning in order to succeed in the whole process.

The report can be utilized in destinations that are facing similar kind of needs of coordinating new traffic and mobility solutions with other ways of land use. With reorganising the railway track city can offer not only better sustainable mobility options but also develop the surrounding area into more liveable and safer environment. The TEN-T network is also something to be aimed for to strengthen city’s status as an ur-ban node.

Background

The Port of Turku is located in Linnanniemi, which is an area at the junction of the Aura River and the Archipelago Sea. At the heart of the cape sits Turku Castle – the oldest and most valuable part of the area and one of Finland's best-known and most popular sights and tourist destinations. 

The port is already directly accessible for example by train and long-distance buses, which is yet a clear advantage when it comes to sustainable mobility options for passengers. However, the areas surrounding the current port terminals have been built in stages and are perceived as difficult to grasp. The street net-work is mainly dimensioned for the needs of heavy traffic and the solutions are outdated. Fragmented traffic areas dominate the valuable cultural landscape. 

New land use opportunities would be made possible by the implementation of the joint terminal and relo-cation of the passenger train track that is in its current location causing a barrier effect between the castle and the shore. By relocating the train track and moving the area that is currently being used for traffic and cargo loading to another location, wide land areas would be freed up for urban development. The aim is that by developing the Linnanniemi area, the attractiveness of Turku will increase without jeopardising the harbour’s operating conditions.

Public transport, walking and cycling will be the key modes of transport to and within the area in the fu-ture. Within the HUPMOBILE project the city of Turku has been seeking feasible, sustainable and smart solution models that will take future mobility needs and modes of transport into account. The vision is that Linnanniemi will be exemplary in how comfortable, safe and accessible mobility environment can be throughout the year. The functionality and safety of passenger transport will be ensured in the planning process.
 

Written by: Jenna Kaarela, project officer at the City of Turku