There were almost 600 suggestions for the name of Riihimäki's housing fair area Kokonharju

20.2.2024 Releases Living in Riihimäki Welfare and health Participate and influence Living

Observation picture with low apartment buildings on both sides of the footpath. A few people walking and cycling on the road. Spring weather, light green leaves on two birch trees in the foreground. — Observation picture of the future residential area of Kokonharju. The visual image shows what kind of character is being sought for the area. Photo: Lundén Architecture Company

The housing fair area located in the Koko district of the city of Riihimäki will be called Kokonharju in the future. The name was selected as the name of the new residential area from among almost 600 proposals. The city challenged the townspeople and everyone interested in the Finnish housing fair to come up with a name for the new residential area of Riihimäki, where the housing fair is planned to be held in 2027.

"Kokonharju as a name strongly refers to the nature of the area as the tail of the Salpausselä ridge and tells both the people of Riihimäkä and the future residents of the area about the nature and forms of the area. The first part of the name Kokko refers to the farm that was separated from the Kara manor in 1788, and the rest to the steeply sloping terrain in some places with large boulders," says Mika Herpiö, director of vitality.

The city of Riihimäki plans to organize a housing fair in Kokonharju in the summer of 2027 together with the Finnish Housing Fair. Kokonharju is located about three kilometers northeast of Riihimäki railway station. The area belongs to the Koko district, and is currently undeveloped and mostly forested.

The popularity of the name competition was surprising

Several words beginning with Kokko and Riihi were proposed as the name of the new residential area. There were also plenty of nature themes among the suggestions. The single most popular suggestion was Riihikokko, which was suggested 17 times.

"The popularity of the name competition and the abundance of different proposals was a positive surprise," says Herpiö.

The city applied for a Finnish name for the housing fair area that best describes everyday life, nature and life in the area. The proposed name had to be appropriate, easy to use, attractive and create positive images of the area. In addition, the name had to support the city's strategy and brand and be factual, clear and understandable.

The competition period was 9–26.1.2024 January XNUMX. The name contest was implemented as both an electronic and a paper survey. The nomenclature committee gave its own recommendation on the name to the selection board, which chose the final name. The jury included chairman of the nomenclature committee Sirkka Tuominen, vitality director Mika Herpiö, project manager Riikka Uusikulku, planning manager Niina Matkala and communication and marketing manager Mia Miettinen.

Ticket packages for the summer 2027 housing fair were drawn among the participants of the name contest. The city has been in contact with the ticket winners.