The developing city inspires Riihimäki's director of administration

At work in Riksu, there is a story series in which the employees of the city of Riihimäki talk about their work.

Administrative director Petri Hirvonen is excited about his new job as administrative director of Riihimäki. He started his work in the city of Riihimäki in February. Before that, Hirvonen served as Orimattila's administrative director.

"Riihimäki is a dynamic, developing and forward-looking organization. Riihimäki is also more urban than Orimattila. I like new challenges. For these reasons, I applied to work in Riihimäki", he says.

The position of administrative director is completely new in Riihimäki's city organization and it is part of the development of the city's administration. That also excites Hirvo.

"This is where you can develop Riihimäki for the people of Riihimäki, because the city is for its citizens."

Good governance is transparent

According to Hirvonen, the good management of a city organization has several different characteristics. Good governance is reliable, consistent, supportive of strategy and in accordance with laws and regulations. It is also predictable, in which case the direction of its progression can be predicted.

"When these things are realized, the employees working in the customer interface and the organization's experts will be able to focus on what is essential in their work. Then the city's operations are appropriate, efficient and good, and services for the citizens can be provided smoothly," explains Hirvonen.

The characteristics of good governance do not end here, as there are plenty more. Hirvonen adds a few more key elements of good governance to his list.

"Good governance is also open and transparent, in which case its issues are actively communicated."

We are currently living in an interesting time in the municipal field, when a big upheaval is ahead, i.e. the formation of welfare areas. In Riihimäki, Hirvo is challenged by the development of its own land, i.e. the administration - on the other hand, there are also plenty of other interesting things, such as the reform of the city's strategy.

"It's interesting to be building things like this, even though I only got involved when the train was moving. I am sure that Riihimäki's new strategy will be good."

Petri Hirvonen has a master's degree in administrative sciences. He was born in Pirkkala, spent his time in southern Finland, and is a municipal man by nature. Before Riihimäki and Orimattila, Hirvonen worked as the business manager of the city of Loviisa.

Spring awakens the butterfly enthusiast

The March sun is shining behind the window of Hirvonen's study. It knows spring, increasing heat and awakening insects. Ahead is a pleasant time for butterfly enthusiasts. Other important hobbies are martial arts, hunting and fishing. What is the administrator's favorite butterfly?

"Perhaps a nuthead will notice. I have discovered it with my friend for the first time in Finland. We made an observation in Åland. It's not a rarity, but a fairly common butterfly in Sweden, for example."

Marke Harkas