Housing Fair 2012 in Tampere

Tampere will host the national Housing Fair to be held in the new district of Vuores 13.7.-12.8.2012.

The fair area is in the north of the district, in a compact and clearly defined residential area of about 600 residents. Each block has access to the park or the extensive hiking routes of the area, which is surrounded by two lakes.

The urban planning of the fair area is based on the garden city model, which originated in England. The design of the area is intended to support the social interaction and unity of the residents. The fair area even includes land reserved for gardening plots.

The fair areas consist of detached houses, semi-detached houses, terraced houses, and apartment buildings, which will also include rental and right-of-occupancy apartments.  The size of the single-storey and double-storey detached houses varies between 140 and 250 square metres. The area includes stone, wood, log, and brick buildings.

Minimized housing energy consumption

Energy regulations that come into force in 2012 have been taken into account in the construction. A dozen of the detached house constructors are building a passive-energy house while some are aiming even higher with a zero-energy house.

Geothermal heat is the main source of energy used in the detached houses. Additional heat is produced with fireplaces, solar heat collectors, and air-to-air heat pumps. The aim is to minimize energy consumption relating to water, lighting, and domestic appliances.

Means to support ecological housing includes:

•    A waste collection pipe system, which significantly lowers the need for energy and reduces emissions compared to the traditional collection method
•    An extremely fast 100/100 Mbps broadband connection, which facilitates smooth distance work
•    A comprehensive pedestrian and cycling path network and an effective public transport system; tramline is also being prepared for
•    Natural treatment of rain water, which prevents the transmission of harmful nutrients into the water system

Vuores – a new district of Tampere

Vuores is one of the largest and most interesting urban construction projects in Finland.
The design and implementation of the area combines high-quality architecture, eco-friendliness, cutting-edge technology, and closeness to the natural world. Vuores will be a modern and innovative small town.

Vuores is only 7 kilometres from the centre of Tampere. It is conveniently located near the Tampere–Helsinki motorway and the ring roads of the city region.

Vuores centre will be the heart of the town. Diverse public and commercial services, an urban centre with an open market place, and an outstanding central park constitute an attractive whole.

Art will be strongly present in the cityscape of the Vuores area. For example, the central park and its rain water ponds were designed by German Atelier Dreiseitl who specializes in landscape architecture.