Rovaniemi wins award for winter pedestrian street but summer look remains gray

A pedestrian street in Rovaniemi has been named Finland’s best winter pedestrian street by the national organization Elävä Kaupunkikeskus ry, Yle reports. The jury praised the street for allowing winter conditions to remain natural rather than attempting to melt the snow, and also noted the Christmas trees funded by local businesses and the presence of Lordi Square, which commemorates Finland’s first Eurovision victory.

The same street, however, has drawn criticism from residents for years over its summer appearance. Lordi Square and the pedestrian street have been described as concrete and gray. No improvement to the summer look is expected this summer, despite an ongoing EU-funded project called Spice (Sustainable Public Spaces through Inclusive Community Engagement) aimed at revitalizing the city center.

Architect Krista Rautaoja, who works with Rovaseudun markkinakiinteistöt oy, the entity managing the Spice project, said concrete results from the two-year pilot — in which Rovaniemi is the only Finnish participant — will be seen later. Rovaniemi had previously commissioned an architectural plan to upgrade lighting, add seating areas and greenery in the city center, but implementation was postponed due to the city’s budget savings targets, according to Yle.