Hämeenlinna National Urban Park
The Finnish National Urban Park Concept is a tool for promoting a sustainable urban planning.
”The Finnish NUP Concept is a tool for preserving and managing mixed natural and cultural values in the urban structure or in proximity to them while there is a trend to create more compact and sustainable cities/ towns. (Senior Adviser Jukka-Pekka Flander, Ministry of the Environment)
Hämeenlinna National Urban Park
The very first National Urban Park (NUP) in Finland is located in the town of Hämeenlinna. It is a ‘show view’ for Finnish nature. It brings together the stunning nature from the beautiful lakeside area of Vanajavesi to varied historic buildings and layered, modern urban spaces. The highlights of the park are the medieval Häme castle and enchanting Aulanko, one of the most iconic Finnish landscapes and significant garden art venues of the late 19th century. The park features several guided hiking trails, nature paths and water routes, ranging from short excursions to longer hikes.
The park provides the visitors with an ideal place to glimpse at the intellectual, economical and social development as well as the cultural trends in Finland. The area comprises five kilometres of pathway along the shores of Lake Vanajavesi and the enchanting woodland and parkland around it.
Receiving a status of National Urban Park Hämeenlinna has – also in future – committed itself to fostering the precious heritage of the parks and culture and values of this area.
Network of National Urban Parks
In Finland it is not only one particular National Urban Park, but a network of NUPs with different roles. The NUPs are part of the Finnish biodiversity strategy and can be used as a modern tool for urban planning. The NUP Concept was taken as part of the Land Use and Building Act, which came into force 1.1.2000. Today, the network of NUPs includes nine cities.
See brochure: Nine beautiful National Urban Parks (NUPs)