Satu
Roberg

We should get more children to participate in early childhood education. I believe that in the long run, early childhood education should be free in Helsinki to make this happen.

Alongside digital textbooks, printed textbooks are needed. Some students in need of special support require traditional books. Furthermore, there are not yet high-quality digital versions of all textbooks, for example, Swedish-language digital textbooks

After the sote-reform, the municipality\'s responsibilities remained education, culture, and leisure. All three areas are important. The statement should be that this is one of the municipality’s three key responsibilities.

Culture belongs to everyone, and equality enhances community well-being. However, practical obstacles, such as location or lack of resources, can make its implementation more difficult.

Participatory budgeting can help allocate resources more effectively based on residents’ needs and provide valuable insights to support decision-making. This approach is already being implemented in Helsinki, but I would like to further develop it by increasing transparency and clearly explaining to residents why certain proposals are carried out while others are not. However, it is important to remember that participatory budgeting cannot replace political decision-making, as the municipality is responsible for its overall finances. While not all requests can always be fulfilled, participatory budgeting is an important way to enhance civic engagement, and its development should continue.

Helsinki should invest in public transport – and one effective way would be to make it free of charge. The recent fare increases in Helsinki contradict our climate goals, as they do not encourage people to leave their cars at home. Free public transport, on the other hand, reduces emissions, supports low-income residents, and enhances the city\'s attractiveness – as already seen in Tallinn and other European cities where this system has been implemented. Additionally, it would save money on ticketing systems and inspection costs. Helsinki should launch a pilot program and explore funding options – this could be a step toward a more sustainable and efficient urban transport system

The idea of digital municipal citizenship is interesting and could serve many, such as remote workers and multi-location residents. However, its implementation would require careful regulation to ensure that aspects like taxation, voting rights, and the funding of services are arranged fairly. Perhaps a partial digital municipal citizenship, where certain rights could be shared between multiple municipalities, could be a viable compromise.

The municipality should promote the use of renewable energy while ensuring that projects are implemented with respect for both the environment and residents’ perspectives. In Helsinki, this means that the city should continue investing in solar energy for its buildings, such as schools and public facilities, while also making it easier for residents and businesses to access solar energy solutions, for example, through zoning regulations and financial support. When it comes to wind power, I have some reservations, as Helsinki’s geographical location presents challenges, but the development of offshore wind power could be a potential solution. At the same time, it is crucial to consider the impact of energy projects on the cityscape, biodiversity, and residents\' living environment.

Housing development in Helsinki is relatively diverse, but challenges still exist. One common issue in planning is excessive density or the encroachment on green spaces, such as Riistavuori Park in Haaga. Additionally, zoning should be more flexible to allow areas to be developed according to changing needs. For example, the industrial area in Pitäjänmäki has long had vacant industrial buildings that cannot attract tenants – the area could be rezoned for residential construction and put to better use. Karhusaari has also been left undeveloped, despite offering potential for nature-friendly housing, such as detached homes or townhouses. More flexible zoning would support area development and ensure that housing construction meets both current and future needs.

Anonymous recruitment can be a useful tool for promoting equality, but its effectiveness depends on the nature of the position and the other stages of the recruitment process. It is important to assess which roles it is best suited for and to combine it with other measures, such as training recruiters and implementing clear, objective selection criteria.