Area-specific development visions
Gulf of Finland
In the Gulf of Finland, marine activities are successfully coordinated while fostering good marine environmental status. The area is home to blue economy expertise, especially in the maritime logistics and sustainable tourism sectors.
– Resource efficiency and carbon neutrality are significant development targets both in
terms of coastal towns and cities and with regard to the entire marine area.
– The Gulf of Finland is a vital maritime transport area, in which traffic will continue to be brisk. The area hosts Finland’s leading international ports, which are globally competitive. The ports create growth and represent important points of interaction between land and sea. Shipping and maritime logistics innovations lay the foundation for competitiveness and sustainable development in the sector.
– A potential railway tunnel between Finland and Estonia will open up new logistics and
travel connections to the rest of Europe.
– The Helsinki Metropolitan Area is the tourist gateway to the area. Key tourist destinations also include other seaside towns and cities – i.e. Hanko, Raseborg, Porvoo, Loviisa, Kotka and Hamina – as well as their adjacent archipelago areas. The wide variety of services on offer in the unique archipelago attracts tourists as well as new inhabitants and organisations.
– Tourism and recreation draw on the marine character of the coastal towns and cities and the marine nature of the coastal area as a whole. Recreational services have been
developed on the basis of the needs of local residents. The operating preconditions for fishing have been secured. The area produces local food sustainably and responsibly.
– Cooperation has been developed in research into marine areas, blue biotechnology and the blue bioeconomy. It has enabled innovation, product development and new job creation.
– Marine activities are carried out so as to promote good marine environmental status and underwater biodiversity. Nature and cultural values are viewed as assets.
Archipelago Sea and Southern Bothnian Sea
Thanks to its central location, the area has developed as a prominent player in the Baltic Sea region, and the planning area has strengthened its position in the Baltic Sea market. Maritime activities are developed in the area with a view to promoting the good state of the marine environment and the diversity of underwater wildlife.
– The area is home to a high-technology marine cluster, which is highly competitive by international standards and includes an extensive subcontracting network. Key specialist areas include marine technology industries and specialist industrial services. The marine and technology industries have made investments in technological solutions that improve the state of the marine environment, product development and next-generation products and services.
– Fishing is a vital livelihood in the marine area, alongside which aquaculture has also
grown in importance. The food industry plays a major role in the area and its growth and product development opportunities have been put to productive use.
– Comprehensive renewable energy solutions have been placed front and centre in regional development. Efforts have been made to promote renewable energy generation and use and related entrepreneurship, and the area’s extensive energy expertise has enabled the sector’s growth. Offshore wind farm construction has brought together expertise in the energy, offshore and technology industries in a new
way that is no longer tied to traditional sectoral boundaries.
– The area is home to a globally unique, integrated natural and landscape destination. The archipelago and coastal nature and cultural heritage in the area are vibrant, well preserved and a form of capital and an essential pull factor for tourism. Tourism is coordinated and developed at the regional level.
– The vibrant archipelago is easily accessible and offers high-quality services for residents.
Northern Bothnian Sea, Quark and Bothnian Bay
Sustainable use of the northern marine area supports the development of its attractiveness and competitiveness and promotes the transition to a low-carbon society.
– Sustainable use of the northern marine area supports the development of its attractiveness and competitiveness and promotes the transition to a low-carbon society.
– The fisheries sector has been developed with the entire value chain in view, from
fishing and food-fish farming to processing. Operating conditions for coastal fishing have been secured. The area is also renowned for its recreational fishing opportunities.
– The area’s solid energy expertise and renewable energy potential have brought about new opportunities: renewable energy generation and use are increasing and circular economy solutions are developing. Offshore wind construction projects have been reconciled with other uses of the marine area and its nature and landscape
values.
– A good marine environmental status is promoted by directing activity that alter the
environment towards areas where the nature and environment are best able to
withstand them. Knowledge on the underwater marine environment and cultural
heritage has grown. Progress has been made in preserving the biodiversity of the unique maritime nature in the northern area.
– The northern marine environment is used as an attraction when developing the
archipelago, coastal towns and cities and tourist resorts. Tourism and recreational uses have been developed in the Kvarken Archipelago World Heritage Site and other natural and cultural destinations.
– Easy access to and good service provision in tourist and recreational destinations support the sector’s development. Unique winter tourism has gained a more prominent role as climate change intensifies.
– The recovery of migratory fish stocks is supported in the use of the sea, coastal areas and estuaries. Attention is paid to the special conditions of the land uplift coast.