Social dimension

One of the points in the EU strategy for the BSR are energy and environmental issues. In cities these issues are closely connected with land use planning and to the quality of life of the citizens.

The social monitoring of residential areas must be closely linked with other monitoring needs of the municipality. It must be understood as a cross-administrative tool for ensuring social integrity and well-being. Listening to citizens is an essential part of this process.

The Finnish Land Use and Building Act requires that the impacts of city plans, including the social impacts, are evaluated in connection with city planning. In Jyväskylä, as part of community planning, long-term work has been carried out in evaluating social impacts. This evaluation has been generally determined as a diversified process, which identifies and assesses the impacts of operations or plans on people, the community or society. The evaluation of social impact is topical in many connections. The environmental impact assessment of projects, plans, programmes and city planning is one of the most essential forms of assessment, which also involves a social dimension. In increasingly complex social situations, it is necessary to receive information about the impacts of plans and decisions, and to boost discussion between experts and different parties. In Finland the intention has been to secure social integrity also by providing other alternatives besides the securing of the versatility of the inhabitant structure. In Jyväskylä it is regarded as important that the attractiveness of areas with a weaker standing is maintained and developed. Attractiveness can be improved with e.g. complementary building programmes and by placing functions that create a positive image (such as sports and cultural functions) in low-status areas. Deteriorating shopping malls and their environments should be developed by taking a fresh approach, where public services, housing, jobs and culture are courageously combined. The experiences of Jyvâskylâ have shown that ensuring social integrity requires seamless cooperation between civil engineering operators. Strategic objectives must be implemented through housing and land policies, as well as master planning, to civil engineering. Ensuring social integrity is a commitment that must coverall stages of civil engineering. New kinds of solutions should also be looked for in cooperation with construction industry operators.