Lena
Höglund

My name is Lena Höglund and I have been living in Helsinki since 2014. I grew up in Ostrobothnia and I have studied and lived around the world. I live in Malminkartano with my partner and three teenage children.

Professionally, I work with climate, biodiversity, and sustainability both with the business community and in Nordic cooperation. I have participated in the Swedish People's Party's international committee since 2012 and I was a member of the cultural committee in Pedersöre from 2012 to 2017.

My district Malminkartano and its surroundings are an example of an area that is growing rapidly and where the service level cannot keep up with the growth. With more efforts and spaces for childcare and primary school, as well as more leisure activities for young and old, and improvements for the beautiful local environment and public transport, everyone will thrive in the long term and the area will become safer.

Helsinki should be forward-looking, invest in climate neutrality and biodiversity, and support everyone's participation. Social resilience is especially important now, and Helsinki should provide more places for dialogue between residents and between residents and administration as both the world and the city are changing rapidly.

My local area
The number of homes in Malminkartano and Kannelmäki will increase by approximately 30% in the coming years, which will affect the local environment and access to services. Malminkartano, Kannelmäki, and Pohjois-Haaga commuter train stations will be renovated simultaneously. Due to the renovations of Malminkartano's schools, a full-sized gymnasium will be missing in the area for five years. The Finland-model offers leisure activities for young people, but the opportunities are mainly courses. The proportion of people with only primary education in Helsinki has not decreased in recent years.

• I would make the districts more attractive by promising sufficient regional service capacity and nearby daycare centers as well as primary schools for both language groups, already when the construction work on the homes begins. In this way, the area's value is preserved, attractiveness increases, and it is ensured that the new homes do not remain unsold. The city not only grants building permits but also takes responsibility for livability. Growth-related investments are not just buildings; social investments should be equally important as Helsinki grows. I also believe that Heka's apartments should be designed more carefully, taking into account the suitability of the homes for elderly, demented, and disabled residents, both in the actual housing planning and in the building environment.

• I believe in a decentralized service model, with local health centers offering basic, easily accessible services, so that care is received in time and problems do not accumulate. Preventive measures before major problems arise are not only a welfare issue but also a matter of cost-effectiveness. I also want to ensure that Helsinki's addiction and mental health services are as accessible as possible, and I want to explore what an expansion of the therapy guarantee could enable for the well-being of young people.

• I would utilize existing buildings and build more densely to preserve the local environment. The goal should be nature-friendly construction, which is an important part of securing acceptance for growth and local well-being. A good life and well-being start with the built environment in the suburbs, and proximity to nature is important for mental health, especially for children. I also want to invest in daycare centers with as large yards as possible.

• I would demand more replacement traffic and faster construction projects to maintain the city's credibility, so that the public transport infrastructure is bearable during renovations. According to statistics, investments in public transport are also investments in equality and equity: women, young people, and older residents use public transport the most.

• I would plan leisure activities for all age groups by utilizing empty premises and regularly listening to young people, pensioners, and associations. The leisure opportunities offered by the Finland model are fantastic, but their marketing and dialogue with young people about the range of leisure activities still leave much to be desired. Young people should also be given the opportunity to pursue their leisure activities more long-term.

• I would increase the number of study counselors, coaches, school counselors, and school psychologists, as well as increase resources for outreach youth work. I would continue with special classes in more subjects than culture, so that it becomes easier to continue education at the upper-secondary school or vocational school level and motivation increases.

• I would invest in suburban engagement in decision-making and increase funds for resident participation, particularly by highlighting the importance of community centers (asukastalot). General, digital participation through digital voting does not work for all resident groups, especially not in suburbs. Low activity and unequal conditions for participation must be actively addressed by opening new channels and arranging more hearings. When residents get to speak about their own area's infrastructure and development, their ownership and sense of community increase. I am convinced that more local dialogue opens new solutions for urban planning and increases local safety.