Kitukränn celebrated with Mini car parade in Old Rauma, Finland

The narrowest street in Finland, Kitukränn, is located in Old Rauma, with a width of just over 2.5 meters, depending on the measuring spot and the person measuring it. Such impractical street designs would not emerge in modern city planning, especially since the street was not originally wide enough for two people to pass each other. The areas between the streets and buildings date back to the Middle Ages when transportation primarily involved horses and carts.

Driving motor vehicles on Kitukränn is prohibited, but once a year, local car enthusiasts are granted permission to bring their tiny cars through the street. This event brings joy to both drivers and onlookers, particularly as Mini cars parade down the narrow lane. The Mini enthusiasts in Rauma have gathered for this event for three consecutive years, starting from the Kalatori square.

The presence of numerous Mini cars in this compact city may not be coincidental. Local enthusiast Ilkka Suominen praises the vehicle’s practicality, noting that two Minis can fit into a grocery store parking space.

Street planning in Old Rauma is often convoluted due to the proximity of buildings. Despite this, the UNESCO World Heritage site has seen development, such as the cobblestoning of main roads like Kuninkaankatu and Kauppakatu, which now features a hidden melting system that eliminates the need for snow plowing in winter.

Planning for streets typically originates from specific needs like new roads or renovating existing ones structurally. Considerations for pedestrians and cyclists are also increasingly integrated into these plans. Climate change has steered recent designs towards ensuring streets remain dry and includes increasing the number of trees and green spaces to better manage stormwater and provide cooling effects.