New architectural policy programme

Towards Sustainable Architecture is Finland’s new national architectural policy programme. The programme provides a framework for development of the quality of the built environment through to 2035.

• Finland’s architectural policy programme 2022–2035 : Towards sustainable architecture

Finland’s first architectural policy programme was published 20 years ago. It set out objectives for public measures that advance the development of architecture. While in recent years the programme has evolved at the local level, it has not been updated at the national level since 1998.

The new national architectural policy programme was drafted by a working group appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of the Environment, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was also closely involved in the work.

The working group looked at how architecture could meet social challenges, including:

• Sustainable development and life-cycle approach

• Health and wellbeing

• Equality, non-discrimination and inclusivity

• Digitalisation, new technologies and innovative thinking

• Demographic changes, regional development and migration

• Prominence, competitiveness and export of Finnish architecture

• Cultural heritage and cultural tourism

• Critique, theory and research of architecture

• Architectural education and training

There were 21 full members in the working group, with a broad range of expertise in various aspects of the built environment. The working group also consulted other experts and engaged stakeholders in the process. Archinfo acted as secretary to the working group.

Phases of the preparation

Before the working group was appointed, Archinfo Finland, the Finnish information centre for architecture, carried out a feasibility study on the guidelines for reforming the national policy. The work to draw up a new programme began in May 2019.