Natural areas increase the attractiveness of Vuores

According to the results of a survey sent to the residents of Vuores, the stormwater parks, the Koukkujärvi nature trail and the community horse park have increased the quality of living in the Vuores area. On average, the natural areas were considered visually pleasing and easily accessible, making Vuores a unique and attractive residential area. Residents also experienced that they have gained new knowledge about nature and ecosystems as a result of the nature-based solutions in the area.

A survey was sent out to the residents of Vuores, which is one of the demonstration areas for nature-based solutions (NBS) in front-runner city Tampere, in May and June 2020 as part of the UNaLab project. The objective of the survey was to investigate the effects of certain NBS - the stormwater system, nature trail and community horse park - on the residential area of Vuores and the quality of life of the residents. The environmental education task of the survey was also to share information on the functioning of the stormwater system, nature trail and community horse park. The survey received 307 responses.

Based on the responses, the residents of Vuores like to spend time outdoors in the area. According to most of the respondents, the areas of the stormwater parks, nature trail and community horse park were considered safe areas offering pleasant activities, such as bird, animal and scenery watching. Especially the nature trail and stormwater parks were considered factors that increase calming and relaxing leisure opportunities in the area as well as the residents’ interest in nature. Requests were made for more water elements similar to the stormwater system to be built in the area and in other parts of the city. The stormwater system in Vuores consists of wetlands, alluvial meadows, stormwater basins and biofilters that naturally improve the quality of stormwater. The water running through the system is purified before it ends up in the lakes surrounding Vuores.

Signs with information on the functioning of the stormwater system were set up in the Koukkujärvi nature trail and stormwater park areas in spring 2019. According to the survey, approximately 43 per cent of the respondents had learned something new about nature and ecosystems as a result of the nature trail and stormwater system.

Suggestions and hopes for development

Numerous development suggestions were also obtained through the survey. According to the residents, the wet areas on the nature trail could be improved and there were requests for campfire areas, outdoor gyms as well as the organisation of events for clearing invasive plant species and litter in the area. Although the area is surrounded by nature, residents were also hoping for more green areas to be built between the residential buildings. All comments have been stored by the city as valuable improvement ideas.