HOPE project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Urban Innovative Actions Initiative.
Urban Innovative Action HOPE – Healthy Outdoor Premises for Everyone
Challenge addressed
The air quality monitoring network in Helsinki region provides accurate air quality data from the locations of fixed monitoring stations but the network consists currently of only a few monitoring locations. HOPE project piloted a more comprehensive next generation air quality monitoring network that gave the citizens air quality information on places where they live and they travel in the city. The HOPE sensor data was used to develop further the FMI ENFUSER modelling to improve the accuracy of the air quality map and forecasts of the greated Helsinki area.
The main purpose of HOPE project was to engage and mobilize the citizens in their own districts around the theme of air quality. Project focused on three different districts with varying air quality challenges. Main area was Jätkäsaari district with heavy port related traffic. Comparative measurements were also conducted around Mäkelänkatu street in Vallila, an urban street canyon with almost 30 000 vehicles daily and in suburban Pakila area which is affected by two main roads, including Ring I with about 100 000 vehicles daily, as well as local domestic wood burning.
Change that we wanted to achieve was that the citizens would find air quality easily relatable and understandable. Ultimately, with better understanding of the air quality issues in their own environment, the citizen will be able to make better and healthier choices in their daily lives.
Solution proposed
Our solution aimed to create a feedback loop between high-resolution hyperlocal air quality monitoring and actions of individuals and local communities through co-design and piloting a participatory budgeting model for air quality interventions in our chosen city districts. With better understanding of air quality issues and with the help of personalized air quality data, we wanted to empower the residents to be active owners of their local air quality.
We also offered information of the levels of exposure to air pollutants that people are subjected to in their daily lives. This was achieved through piloting a comprehensive air quality sensoring network and developing a new air quality index AQI2.0.
The project was implemented between November 2018 and April 2022. The project was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Urban Innovative Actions Initiative.
Read more at: https://ilmanlaatu.eu/uutiset/
Partnerships
City of Helsinki:
The Economic Development division is responsible for economic-policy development, the City’s investment and business promotion, business information, and tourism and convention marketing. City of Helsinki is the main urban authority in UIA HOPE project. UIA HOPE project is coordinated under Innovation and New Experiments unit.
Contacts:
Project Manager Jussi Kulonpalo, jussi.kulonpalo@hel.fi
University of Helsinki:
University of Helsinki has over 30-year long track-record on operating a network of atmospheric observation stations providing comprehensive air quality observations. The University of Helsinki Institute for atmospheric and Earth system research (INAR), Department of Computer Science and Department of Geosciences and Geography contribute to air quality monitoring and data analysis, providing more informative air quality information to citizens, artificial intelligence, 5G networking and data visualization in the UIA HOPE project.
Contacts:
Professor of Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences Tuukka Petäjä, tuukka.petaja@helsinki.fi
MegaSense, Project Manager Maria Linkoaho-Nordling, maria.linkoaho-nordling@helsinki.fi
Megasense: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/sensing-and-analytics-of-air-quality
SMEAR: https://www.atm.helsinki.fi/SMEAR/
INAR: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/inar-institute-for-atmospheric-and-earth-system-research
Department of Computer Science: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/computer-science
Department of Geosciences and Geography: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-science/faculty/geosciences-and-geography
Vaisala:
Vaisala provides the latest technology for air quality monitoring, as well as measuring atmospheric weather conditions relevant to monitoring, estimating, and forecasting air quality. Vaisala’s air quality sensor technology is utilized in UIA HOPE project.
Contacts:
Business Development Manager Mikko Laakso, mikko.laakso@vaisala.com
HELSINKI REGION ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AUTHORITY:
Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY is a municipal body, which produces waste management and water services, as well as providing information on the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and environment. HSY is in responsible of air quality monitoring and information in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Contacts:
Expert in Air Quality Jarkko Niemi, jarkko.niemi@hsy.fi
More information
Finnish Meteorological Institute:
The mission of the Finnish Meteorological Institute is to produce high-quality observation and research data on the atmosphere and seas. The Institute combines this expertise into the services it provides to promote public safety as well as increase well-being in the society and the environment, taking into account the needs to maintain preparedness. In UIA HOPE project, FMI is involved in analyzing and measuring air quality data as well as developing AI air quality technology.
Contacts:
Project Manager Ari Karppinen, ari.karppinen@fmi.fi
ENFUSER: https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/environmental-information-fusion-service
SILAM: http://silam.fmi.fi/
Air Quality now: More information
Useless:
Useless Company is a Finnish impact start-up that will encourage people to consume less and invest the money they save in a sustainable way. We are creating an easy and fun way for people to use less money and have a positive impact on the climate by consuming less. For HOPE, we develop a platform and model, which encourages individuals to make actions that improve air quality, shows their impact in the environment, and enables participating in local air quality efforts.
Contacts:
CEO Maija Leino, maija.leino@useless.fi
FORUM VIRIUM HELSINKI:
Forum Virium Helsinki is the City of Helsinki innovation company. It co-creates urban futures with companies, universities, other public sector organizations and Helsinki residents. Forum Virium Helsinki’s mission is to make Helsinki the most functional smart city in the world. FVH is in responsible of recruiting residents and implementing innovative solutions in target areas through test beds.
Contacts:
Project Manager, Ville Nousiainen, ville.nousiainen@forumvirium.fi