Helsinki’s plan to close Kaivokatu to cars could shift traffic to Esplanadi, drawing criticism

Helsinki’s decision to transform Kaivokatu into a pedestrian-only street has sparked debate among local businesses and residents, with concerns that displaced traffic may overload the nearby Esplanadi area, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

The city council approved zoning changes on Wednesday that will reroute a significant portion of downtown cross-traffic—previously flowing past the central railway station—away from Kaivokatu. Critics warn this could turn Esplanadi into a congested thoroughfare, deterring customers and increasing noise.

Textile designer Aija Lundahl, who sells handcrafted goods at U26 Shop on Eteläesplanadi, fears the shift will bring no benefit to businesses. “More traffic won’t bring us more customers,” she said, noting most of her clientele are tourists who don’t drive. While she supports reducing car dominance, she acknowledged that additional parking might attract shoppers: “Right now, cars can only crawl past in traffic and leave.”

Mika Purhonen, owner of the Toripojat café at Kauppatori, echoed concerns about parking shortages. “More cars passing by won’t help if there’s nowhere to stop,” he said, suggesting Aleksanterinkatu could instead accommodate through traffic. Others, like Luxbagin CEO Hanna Forsman, worry the change could push drivers to outlying shopping centers, draining vitality from the city center. “If people stop coming downtown by car entirely, Helsinki’s appeal will suffer,” she warned.

Not all oppose the plan. Ismmet Tosun, owner of Restorante Il Siciliano, argued Esplanadi itself should become car-free. “This beautiful park is full of cars—it makes no sense,” he said, lamenting the abrupt end of a recent terrace pilot that had revitalized the area. Reyihan Yusuph, who runs souvenir shops nearby, countered that increased traffic could boost tourism: “More visitors mean more life here.”

Pedestrians like Katja Hatakka, a former shopping center manager, called the decision “extremely poor,” arguing it ignores businesses’ needs. “No one will want to come if traffic is gridlocked,” she said. “A city must remain accessible to drivers too.”

The changes are part of a broader redesign of the area surrounding Helsinki’s central railway station.