Salo: A playground in the Utiska area - A description of an HuIA process

Background

The inhabitants of the Utiska area in Salo suggested in August 2004 that one of the vacant plots of land in the housing development area should be turned into a playground for children. In the urban plan no land had been reserved for a playground in the area. The existing green areas were not suitable for use as a playground. The nearest playgrounds were situated at a long distance.

It was decided to turn a plot of land owned by the City into a playground. The park department prepared a plan and the City's planning unit drafted a proposal concerning deviation from the urban area development plan.

The park department submitted a draft decision to the Technical Committee, proposing that the general plan for a playground should be approved. The planning unit prepared a human impact assessment report to be attached to the draft decision.

The HuIA process and participants

The impact assessment was assigned to the urban planner. The process also involved the City's architect, gardener, land-use director and planning architect. The assessment was conducted through separate discussions between the urban planner and each one of the other participants. With the discussions included, the assessment took about one working day. People living in the immediate neighbourhood of the playground were heard in the context of the deviation procedure.

The impacts to be assessed were identified using the HuIA handbook and Ideacards available from the STAKES website. The approach to the impacts was found through discussions and the hearings related to the urban planning deviation procedure.

Alternatives and impacts

The HuIA process concerned three alternatives:

Draft decision: The playground will be built according to the plan prepared by the park department

Zero alternative: No playground will be built

Alternative proposal: The playground will be built in a recreational area around Utiska

The assessment concerned:

• Local residents' views
• Impact on the attractiveness of the area as a residential area
• Impact on social relationships among local residents and the stimulation offered by the environment
• The accessibility of the playground from the viewpoint of different population groups
• Impact of the location of the playground on its immediate neighbours

The advantages and disadvantages of the different alternatives were identified using an assessment form.

See the assessment form

Consideration by the Committee

In May 2006, the City Council approved the proposed deviation from the urban plan so that it became possible to build the playground on the plot in Utiska. The Technical Committee considered the matter on 6 June 2006. The proposal text included a summary of the HuIA results. The Committee also approved the plan and work schedule for the playground in accordance with the proposal.

Further information

Päivi Liuska-Kankaanpää
Planning Architect
City of Salo