Oulu struggles with central population as Turku outpaces with 60,000 residents

A smaller city appears to be surpassing Oulu in terms of central population, raising questions about why Finland’s fifth-largest city struggles to attract residents to its downtown area. As of the end of 2023, approximately 23,300 people lived in Oulu’s city center, making up about 11% of the city’s more than 214,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the approximately 60,000 residents in the city center of Turku, a city of similar size.

Oulu’s city center is exceptionally small, according to Helka-Liisa Hentilä, a professor of urban planning at the University of Oulu. She notes that the compact size of the central area limits its natural expansion due to surrounding geographical features such as the sea, parks, and railways. Over the past decade, the population in the central area has increased by about 3,700, which contrasts sharply with the 6,000 added in newly developed areas like Hiukkavaara.

Residents and urban planners are concerned about the vitality of Oulu’s city center, as many other cities have more robust downtown areas. Marko Kilpeläinen, Oulu’s environment director, emphasizes the importance of central population for driving demand for services. He acknowledges the rapid growth Oulu has experienced, especially following the 2013 merger with five municipalities, but indicates that housing prices deter families from moving downtown.

Despite the challenges, some residents express a desire for a vibrant city center. Reports suggest that many find the city center less attractive compared to other housing areas. Local residents believe maintaining a lively downtown, rich in small businesses, is crucial for the community’s growt