Housing and communities

In line with the Society’s Commitment to Sustainable Development, our aim is to promote housing solutions that suit the varying life situations. We need sustainable and safe communities where jobs, housing, diverse services, sustainable transport systems and green and water areas support economic, social, cultural and ecological wellbeing.

The need for transport must be reduced while creating community structures that encourage to healthy and sustainable mobility. Excessive differentiation and growing inequality of communities must be prevented by maintaining a balanced population structure. We must prepare for the changing climate and hydrological conditions. 

Indicators chosen by the network of experts

  1. Number of people over the age of 75 living in their own home
  2. Housing expenditure
  3. Intact community structures and conditions for public transportation
  4. Access to grocery stores
  5. Flood risk

Linkage to the objectives of Society’s Commitment to Sustainable Development

Equal prospects for well-being
A participatory society for citizens
Sustainable society and local communities
A resource-wise economy

Housing and communities 2021
 Community planning and the search for sustainable solutions in a key role for creating well-functioning housing and living environments

13.1.2022 13.38
Kuvituskuva artikkeliin. Kuvassa kerrostaloja metsäisessä ympäristössä.
Climate change forces society and individuals to act more sustainably and prepare for the risks caused by weather phenomena, such as floods. Finland’s population is ageing, and an increasing number of older people continue living in their homes. The population is focused on cities, which enables well-functioning public transport and the availability of good services in densely populated areas. At the same time, challenges emerge for organising services in regions where population declines. Technology and the services that utilise it are increasingly integrated into all structures of society and offer new opportunities for organising services.

Housing and communities 2020
 Urbanisation and population ageing shape communities as climate change requires more sustainable solutions

12.4.2021 9.52
Climate change forces society and individuals to act more sustainably and prepare for the risks caused by weather phenomena, such as floods. Finland’s population is ageing and an increasing number of people continue living in their homes. The population is focused on cities, which enables well-functioning public transport and the availability of good services in densely populated areas. At the same time, challenges emerge for organising services in regions where population declines. Technology and the services that utilise it are increasingly integrated into all structures of society and offer new opportunities for organising services.

Housing and communities 2019
 Finland’s swift urbanisation and the change to its population structure will challenge society’s capacity for renewal

6.3.2020 15.23
Changes to housing and to the structure and activities of communities are generally quite slow. In particular, the aging of the population, urbanisation and climate change are now causing pressures for change. Efforts have been made to prevent excessive inequality in communities by taking care of the safety, functionality and balanced demographic structure of residential areas. Adaptation has already begun for the changing climate and water conditions resulting from climate change.

Housing and communities 2017
 Population density in large urban areas is growing and an increasing number of persons over 75 years old live at home

13.6.2018 15.45
The change in the age structure of the population poses challenges to the housing of older persons. More and more attention is paid to the accessibility of the living environment, and accessible services improve the possibilities for older persons to continue living in their own homes independently. The share of persons over 75 years of age living at home has increased.