Riihimäki City Council has a long agenda – including two solar energy projects to be decided

The Riihimäki City Board will discuss several issues at its meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, including two solar energy projects, the master plan, the International Riihimäki program, additional funding for the swimming pool, and the real estate arrangement between the city and Oma Häme.

Mayor Jouni Eho proposes to the City Council that it initiate a zoning plan for solar power plants in the Vasikkahaka and Silmäkeneva areas upon application from a private landowner. According to the proposed decision, the implementation of solar power plants will promote the city's goals of carbon neutrality and sustainable development.

The areas planned for the power plants are mainly unplanned areas. According to the city's land policy, privately owned unplanned land will only be planned if the city's interests require it for special reasons. The city council will decide at its meeting whether the project meets the requirements of the land policy.

According to the party that applied for the zoning, the average output of the power plants would cover the annual electricity consumption of approximately 12 households. At the same time, it is estimated that it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 000 tons per year.

As a result of the zoning, one of the power plants would be located in a field area southeast of the Vasikkahaa and Räätykänmäki residential areas, and the other in a forested swamp area east of the Kynttilätie industrial area. Both areas are approximately 80 hectares in size.

In the city's master plan 2035, the areas have been designated as agricultural and forestry-dominated areas and they are located in an important groundwater area and flood risk area. During the planning work, the project's impacts on groundwater, stormwater, natural values, landscape and ancient monuments would be investigated, among other things. The master plan also designates the area as a core area for hiking and outdoor activities, and the development of outdoor trails would also be examined in connection with the project.

The master plan is still pending consideration by the council.

The City Council will also be given the opportunity to address two issues that have undergone extensive rounds of hearings or statements: the Riihimäki Master Plan 2050 and the International Riihimäki Program.

Regarding the master plan, the mayor proposes that the city government submit a proposal to the council for approval of the master plan. In the master plan, the current urban structure of Riihimäki will remain dense and compact. With the plan, the city will ensure that the areas reserved for construction will enable the predicted population growth and housing production. The plan will also create the conditions for increasing the supply of business and industrial plots along main roads and railways, as well as at traffic junctions.

The draft and proposal of the master plan have been available for public viewing during 2024. Several revisions were made to the proposal based on the feedback received. The city launched the master plan work extending until 2050 in 2022. The master plan covers the entire city area, except for the Kalmu sub-master plan area that came into force in 2015, which will remain in force.

Internationalization program for the information of the council

Regarding the International Riihimäki program, the Mayor proposes that the City Board approve it and submit the program to the City Council for information. The program defines six key measures that will help the city implement internationalization. The measures are:

• We offer diverse housing options sustainably and nearby.
• We will strengthen community by ensuring events and services that are open and accessible to everyone.
• Promote two-way integration and good population relations by increasing understanding of cultural diversity.
• Study, internship and job opportunities for immigrants will be increased and practical language teaching will be organized.
• The city's international cooperation will be strengthened regionally, nationally and internationally in order to attract experts and investments.
• The city acts as a platform and network aggregator, enabling collaboration between companies, educational institutions and other stakeholders.

The city has already implemented some of the measures. The creation of the International Riihimäki program is important because the city's population has become more international. The number of people who speak a language other than Finnish as their mother tongue has increased in Riihimäki by approximately 800 people in two years.

You can read more about other issues on the city board's agenda, such as additional funding for the swimming pool and the real estate arrangement between the city and Oma Häme, on the city board's agenda and previously published news.

City Council Agenda May 19, 2025

Read previous news about the swimming pool

May 2025: The costs of the Riihimäki swimming pool may increase

Read previous news about real estate arrangements

April 2025: The City Board approved the property arrangement with Oma Häme and the project plan for the old city hall

April 2025: The City of Riihimäki is planning real estate arrangements with Oma Häme

Read previous news about the master plan

December 2024: The proposal of Riihimäki's master plan 2050 can be seen

January 2024: The draft of Riihimäki's general plan 2050 is now available for the citizens to see - tell us your opinion

Read previous news about the International Riihimäki program

March 2025: International Riihimäki draft program begins extensive consultation

December 2024: At Riihimäki, the challenges and opportunities of internationalization are discussed constructively