As climate change forces cities to adapt to rising sea levels and extreme weather, it is essential for city dwellers to be central in shaping climate-resilient urban spaces. The project aims to spark discussion on the resources and resilience of local communities in a changing world, examining the history, present, and future of community-based urban development. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities created by today’s urban dynamics, including the financialization and entrepreneurialization of real estate markets.
The project is funded by the Arts Promotion Center.
The project studied the research questions through the case of Mellunkylä stream, a small brook flowing through the neighborhood of Mellunmäki in East Helsinki.
The neighborhood is designated as an urban renewal area by the City of Helsinki. As a result of the renewal, new apartments will be built for 2500 new residents. The new construction results in major changes in the local ecology as the flow of the Mellunkylä stream will be altered.
We studied the history and current struggles related to the urban renewal and local green areas in the neighborhood togethere with the resident movement Mellunmäki-liike and The Finnish River Management Association Virho.
In August 2025 we took part in the communal day of work restoring the Mellunkylä stream, learning from Virho’s environmental stewardship.
In May 2025 we organized a workshop at the Mellunmäki metro station titled ‘Let’s Talk About Weather’. We invited the locals to talk about the changing climate by playing a game. The workshop mapped local knowledge of extreme weather events. The workshop was part of the Mellunmäki neighborhood celebration organized in collaboration with Mellunmäki-liike, Kalliolan Setlementti and ME-talo.