‘Let’s include tram stops into cities’ green networks’, urban planning specialist recommends

Green Tram Stops meet the citizens’ needs

Citizens have hoped for greening the public transport stops for ages. In Finland, the cities have taken their time in warming up to this idea.

‘Previously, the cities have thought that greening the stops would be risky. There has probably been fear of vandalism or maintenance costs. In reality, our lush stops haven’t faced any mischief, and thanks to careful planning, both assembly and maintenance have been easy to carry out’, Pia tells us.

Even the questionnaires carried out in Kalasatama last year indicate that the citizens have gladly taken the ownership of these structures. Almost every respondent agreed with the statement that the Green Tram Stops are a good way to increase greenery in urban environments. More of the results here.

The structure addresses several user groups

The stops covered with greenery bring nature closer to humans in a way that takes into account different users’ needs.

Pia explains: ‘The plants are integrated to the already existing stops so that their basic structure doesn’t need to be modified. The stops are mostly used by the citizens and advertisers, and the layout of the greenery meets the needs of both these user groups, such as visibility and the feeling of safety.’

Creative, nature-based usage of the public space

The Green Tram Stops haven’t just been in the favor of the users, but urban planners. During her visit in Helsinki, the world famous urban planner Jeanette Sadik-Khan told Helsingin Sanomat that she will ‘immediately steal this idea’.

Pia notes that solutions supporting urban biodiversity are a current trend within urban planners and designers. ‘They are excited about greening the surfaces that are close to people, and also cities are beginning to guide the development towards nature-based urban landscaping. For instance, Helsinki requires that the amount of greenery has to be at least the same before and after constructions. These kinds of guidelines increase the need for creative solutions, like these stops.’

Pia hopes that the Green Tram Stops would become more and more common in the cityscape. ‘Stops could be embedded in the urban green network just like other plantations and green areas’, she finds.

Green Tram Stop pilot project was originally organised as a part of Forum Virium’s Pilot Green project in Kalasatama, Helsinki, during the summer 2024. In addition to InnoGreen and WSP, the consortium included Helsingin Kaupunkiliikenne Oy, JcDecaux Finland, and Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu. Nowadays, the Green Tram Stops are in InnoGreen’s product catalogue, and they can be rented with designing, assembly and maintenance services.