Lahti invited residents to give their voices and ideas on how they would develop their residential area or the whole city with a budget of 100 000 euros. The participatory budgeting has been carried out in three phases: brainstorming ideas – joint developing proposals – voting.
Here are the resident ideas to be implemented by the end of 2021:
The entire city
Cherry Park
To establish a cherry park in Lahti. The Green Areas unit will identify the most suitable location.
1095 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 25,000
Planned time period: April–June 2021
The Green Areas unit will be responsible for implementation.
Northern area
Disc golf course in Ahtiala
The Green Areas unit will identify the most suitable location.
624 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 25,000
Planned time period: April–September 2021
The Green Areas unit will be responsible for implementation.
Eastern area
Brightening up Lahti market square
To brighten up the entrances to the parking facility under the market square with plants and art, for instance, and by obtaining and installing a clock, a thermometer and an air quality monitor on the roof of the parking facility entrance.
852 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 6,000
Planned time period: 2021
The Municipal Engineering and Land Use units, the market square manager, and the owners of Lahden Pysäköinti will be responsible for implementation.
Monitored bicycle parking area in the market square
751 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 3,000
Planned time period: May-September 2021
The Municipal Engineering unit will be responsible for implementation.
Street art in the city centre
To enliven the city by adding colour, interest and good mood with art. Ecological values, sustainability and recycled materials will be taken into consideration in implementing the works. Lahti residents of all ages, associations and organisations are encouraged to participate. Street art can also be produced at a communal event.
678 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 5,000
Planned time period: 2020–2021
The Municipal Engineering and Land Use units will be responsible for implementation
Flowers in the city centre
To plant more flowering plants of all kinds in the city centre, for instance in the Rantakartano area.
602 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 5,000
Planned time period: June–September 2021
The Green Areas unit will be responsible for implementation.
Food distribution point in Nastola
To establish a food aid distribution point in the Nastola area in co-operation with local associations and other operators.
432 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 6,000
Planned time period: spring 2021
The Participation and Well-being Services unit will be responsible for implementation.
Southern area
Development of Porvoonjoki nature path
To repair the signage of Porvoonjoki nature path and tidy up the path.
741 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 10,000
Planned time period: August–October 2021
The Green Areas unit will be responsible for implementation.
Developing the Kesanto venue in Sopenkorpi
To develop Kesanto in Sopenkorpi as a versatile event venue for residents. The budget would be used to develop both public facilities and technical features in the area. For instance, it would help to improve lighting, power boxes and water supply in the area. In addition, the area needs more seats, bicycle parking areas, toilets and better signage, and the stages need improvement.
686 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 10,000, a lump sum investment
Planned time period: spring and summer 2021
The Urban Environment Service unit will be responsible for implementation.
Wibit Aqua Track in the outdoor swimming pool at the Sports Centre
To hire a Wibit Aqua Track for the outdoor swimming pool for five days in summer 2021.
405 votes
Estimated cost: EUR 5,000
Planned time period: summer 2021
The Sports Services unit will be responsible for implementation.
Feel free to share your ideas in social media using #osbu #omalahti #lahti
Coordinators Tia Mäkinen tel. 044 769 8695 and Sanna Virta tel. 044 482 6390
People decide, city implements.
What is participatory budgeting?
Participatory budgeting has been implemented in various forms for more than 30 years in more than 1,500 cities or municipalities worldwide. It means operating methods where residents decide on how to use public resources. The scale may be small or large, and the methods of participation may vary, but most often, the process consists of an idea phase, a development phase and a vote. The mission of the participatory budgeting is to deepen democracy, build stronger communities, and make public budgets more equitable and effective.
Participatory budgeting in Lahti is done in collaboration with Tampere University and LAB University of Applied Sciences project Empowering Participatory Budgeting in the Baltic Sea Region (EmPaci) #EmPaci www.empaci.eu, lab.fi/empaci