Plants cool tram stops – Pilot project underway in Helsinki

In late June, a vegetated roof and plant pillars were installed for two tram stops in Helsinki. on Hernesaaren rantatie, transforming them to green stops. These structures are designed to make waiting more pleasant for people in the summer heat and offer new habitats for insects in the city. 

Based on the first months of the project, it would seem that the greenery really does make a difference. 

“The plants seem to have settled in their new environment, and the stops look and feel pleasant. Pollinator counts confirm that pollinators have also found their way to the blooming roofs and walls,” says Mikko Sonninen, CEO of InnoGreen, the company carrying out the pilot project.

The vegetation at the stops consist of low-maintenance perennial plants. Irrigation utilises a rainwater-based system.

Greenery could be added to every tram stop in Helsinki

The pilot project is part of the Pilot Green project which focuses on innovative urban greenery, and is funded by the European Union and coordinated by the City of Helsinki’s innovation company Forum Virium Helsinki. If successful, similar green structures could be set up at other tram stops as well. The structures are modular and easy to replicate.

Throughout the piloting period, the parties involved in the pilot project will be collecting data on the benefits of the new green structures for people and pollinators. Factors like temperature reduction, maintenance needs, user feedback, and impacts on local biodiversity will be analysed. Sensors will monitor conditions such as air temperature, humidity, and soil moisture.

“During the summer, we will also collect samples of the plants and conduct eDNA analyses to map the pollinators in the area, helping us understand the variety and number of pollinators visiting the stops,” Sonninen says. 

Temporary greenery supports and complements permanent green spaces

Urban spaces are often changing and full of grey infrastructure. That is why it is important to bring green elements into urban environments in temporary form as well.

“As cities become denser, innovative green solutions are needed to manage temperatures and support biodiversity, even in spaces where trees can’t be planted,” says Santeri Kero, project planner for the Pilot Green project.

Sonninen agrees: “Existing green spaces are an essential part of the city, but temporary green structures can support them while also providing additional cool rest spots for both humans and pollinators in densely built environments.”

Along the green tram stops, this summer has held other green pilots as well. Topics related to greener cities are being explored in Helsinki in five different pilots of the PilotGreen project. 

The green tram stop pilot is being carried out in collaboration with planning and consulting company WSP, Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd and outdoor advertising company JCDecaux Finland Oy, which owns Helsinki’s tram stops. The actual vegetation solutions are provided by InnoGreen. The pilot project is coordinated by the City of Helsinki’s innovation company Forum Virium Helsinki as part of the PilotGreen project. 

Photos: Vesa Laitinen