27 October, 2003
© Beep Knowledge System and case owners, 2002-2003
How ICT has helped regenerate an urban area and create a dynamic, world-class, media centre to promote culture and provide a wide variety of employment opportunities.
Regional Development
Executive
summary of the case:
Timing of case
In 1991 the City of Helsinki finally decided to preserve the Lasipalatsi
centre as part of the Finnish National Heritage. Renovation of the centre
was integrated in an Urban Pilot Project from 1997-2000.
Geographic setting
Lasipalatsi, a landmark of national importance, was a focal point during
the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, and is situated near the capital's commercial
and historical area. In renovating the building, new life has been brought
to the area and provided the city with a large multi-purpose cultural
and modern information-media facility.
Type and use of ICT
It has a digital library and freely available computers connected to Internet.
It also offers citizens a digital meeting point which connects the real
meeting point in Lasipalatsi building to the meeting points in some other
cities. One of the focal points of the new two-storey facility was to
promote the use of internet technology. In such a way, numerous internet
access points were placed in various locations around the building. One
can surf the net or read one's e-mail while sipping coffee, lounging on
a nice chair, or in the many www-kiosks scattered about in the building.
Many of these internet access points are free of charge. The more adventurous
may want to try out a homepage machine and create their own web page.
Main contributors
Nokia Corporation, National Broadcasting Corporation, television channel
(MTV 3), Finnish Film Archive, Library Service Department, Helsinki City
Library, Youth Affairs Centre, Helsinki City Cultural Office. The project
was managed by the City of Helsinki which established the Media Centre
Project Steering Group in order to bring together all project partners.
Main beneficiaries
More than 1 mio. citizens. Public performers, shops selling videos, art
books and CD-ROMs, restaurant and cafeteria services, information centre
for the city institutions (i.e EU information centre), artists, communication
centres, sme's etc.
Background
The location of the Lasipalatsi building at the very heart of the city
amidst considerable pedestrian traffic creates an excellent framework
for media centre. Recognition of the urban concept of time is really essential
to the use of space on the street level of the Lasipalatsi building: the
commercial premises are designed for busy city people to meet.
Objectives
The project aims to develop various kinds of Information Technology and
cultural services including electronic newspapers, access to the Internet,
two cinemas and other media activities. The strategy combines support
for the development of electronic and technological communications with
the preservation of an architecturally valuable building and a regeneration
strategy for the neighbourhood.
Resources (apart from ICT)
Nokia Corporation, the National Broadcasting Corporation, a television
channel (MTV 3) and the Finnish Film Archive. The project was managed
by the City of Helsinki which established the Media Centre Project Steering
Group in order to bring together the project’s partners.
The Urban Pilot Project conducted from 1997 - 1999 received EU contribution of 2,7 mio EURO. Total costs amounted to 9,0 mio EURO.
Activities
Lasipalatsi brings the services of modern technology and IT close to people.
In Lasipalatsi cititzens will find free access to the Internet, web services
and information about culture and society. European cinema, changing exhibitions,
city studios and many kinds of cultural events have also found a home
in Lasipalatsi. Lasipalatsi is also a shopping centre for the multimedia
business and a European meeting point with its cafés, restaurant
and library. Within its walls there are more than 20 companies and associations.
Outputs and results
- Access to the Internet.
- Culture and Information.
- Exhibitions and Events.
- Cafés and Restaurant.
- TV Studios.
- Book Kiosk.
- Home & News Machine.
- Media Shopping Centre, R-kiosk and Fashion - All in One
Lessons and
conclusions
The project has provided an example of how regeneration can be combined
with the introduction of new economic activities. The project converted
a declining traditional neighbourhood into a new centre of economic activity
using the application of Information Technology and the support to culture
and the arts. The project developed a centre for experimentation and innovation
by creating a focal point for designers, artists and people with expertise
in Information Technology and multi-media activity. The integration of
regeneration, technology and the support of creative and media industries
have been of significance to the problems experienced and solutions adopted
by a variety of European cities.
Case description:
Background
The location of the Lasipalatsi building at the very heart of the city
amidst considerable pedestrian traffic creates an excellent framework
for media centre. Recognition of the urban concept of time is really essential
to the use of space on the street level of the Lasipalatsi building: the
commercial premises are designed for busy city people to meet. Film and
multimedia centre is well-suited to this fundamental concept of the building:
continual movement and rapid encounters. Care will be taken to ensure
that the idea is implemented in the Lasipalatsi building in the most multidimensional
manner possible.
Background - Key Factor: improved regional quality of life
Infocities is a European Commission funded project in TEN Telecom program.
Digital services for the citizens are developed in seven European cities
Helsinki being one of them. In Helsinki the services are developed in
co-operation with Helsinki Telephone Corporation and the city of Helsinki.
These services include public and civic services, Helsinki City Museum
services and cultural services. In addition, the Virtual Language School
developed in the National Multimedia Program is being tested by users.
Objectives
The Lasipalatsi is well located, close to the city’s main transport
interchanges and is easily accessible by visitors. The film and media
centre will incorporate a number of elements, notably the development
of two arts cinemas, the creation of an information service for young
people, and the provision of free access to the Internet. It is also proposed
that an "Institute of Art" will be established within the complex.
A number of public areas will be developed: a courtyard, restaurant, café,
exhibition and shopping areas. The scheme will have a pedestrian precinct
and the aim is to develop the area as a meeting place for those interested
in cultural and media activities.
The project aims to develop various kinds of Information Technology and cultural services including electronic newspapers, access to the Internet, two cinemas and other media activities. The strategy combines support for the development of electronic and technological communications with the preservation of an architecturally valuable building and a regeneration strategy for the neighbourhood. The project also intends to give an important boost to the city’s construction sector, where there is a high level of unemployment and for which large-scale renovation programmes of this nature have become increasingly important.
Resources
Nokia Corporation, the National Broadcasting Corporation, a television
channel (MTV 3) and the Finnish Film Archive. The project was managed
by the City of Helsinki which established the Media Centre Project Steering
Group in order to bring together the project’s partners.
Activities
Lasipalatsi brings the services of modern technology and IT close to people.
In Lasipalatsi cititzens will find free access to the Internet, web services
and information about culture and society. European cinema, changing exhibitions,
city studios and many kinds of cultural events have also found a home
in Lasipalatsi. Lasipalatsi is also a shopping centre for the multimedia
business and a European meeting point with its cafés, restaurant
and library. Within its walls there are more than 20 companies and associations.
Activities - Key Factor: improved regional innovation
and R&D
Continuation of EU project work:
- in Helsinkiarena2000. Helsinki Arena 2000 is a large consortium project headed by Helsinki Telephone Corporation. It has been running since early 1996. The main goal of the project is to provide the citizens of Helsinki an enabling platform through an affordable high bandwidth multimedia network in the year 2000. The project consists of three simultaneous development processes. The first process develops and tests services and user interfaces to them integrating the results of many national and international multimedia research projects. The second process creates an easy user interface to the services through a real 3D model of the city of Helsinki. This gives us many possibilities in augmenting the real city and provides a totally new viewpoint to the large web information systems. Finally, the multimedia network which already works in some areas of the city is being extended to other areas. Unlike other networks that provide high bandwidth from the service provider into the homes, this multimedia network is the first commercial network which is capable of transmitting guaranteed good quality video between any two homes. This gives the citizens many new possibilities for communicating with each other as well as with the local communities and businesses. Furthermore, homes connected to multimedia network are able to transmit video up to thousands of other homes.
- in Infocities: which aims to improve access to public and city services for residents, and to offer value added services to businesses and professionals. Among those using InfoCities applications and services have been: residents, visitors and tourists using public access points (such as street kiosks and public library Internet access points), schools and other educational bodies, businesses and professional organisations (from SMEs to hospitals), households and community organisations
- TRIDENT: which intends to prove the integrated use of new technologies to improve the quality and dimensions of services that local administrations provide to the citizens, particularly addressing large urban areas.
Activities - Key Factor: improved regional quality
of life
Many public and civic services are traditionally provided to the citizens
by the different bureau’s of a city. The development of the integrated
public and civic services started from thinking about these services from
the citizens' point-of-view. The services were organised according to
the different roles of the citizens, such as a tourist, a house builder,
an organiser to a happening. Furthermore, we also wanted to find out any
new needs in citizens every-day life. Our hope was that Helsinki could
provide better services with less burden to the employees of the city.
Finally, we considered how the multimedia network and the possibilities
it offered could enhance these services. For instance, ip-phone and video
based techniques are being experimented on.
The services of Helsinki City Museum are developed to the ordinary citizens
interested in the history of the city and also to the school children.
Our aim is to make history so interesting by using multimedia and visualisation
that many new citizens would be interested. For instance, the 3D modelling
offers the museum people tools to show already non-existing buildings,
such as a model of the centre of Helsinki at 1700 before the current empire
style centre was built. By making the historical information available
to the web will also help its use. It may hopefully even attract new people
to visit the real museums.
Output and Results
Access to the Internet:
In the Kirjakaapeli library in Lasipalatsi citizens can make use of many
kinds of computer programmes and surf the net or read e-mails. Surfing
the net and reading mail is possible also in Kompassi and the Skenet Café
as well as on the www-kiosks scattered around the building. At Meteori
the Meteori Lounge is open where Internet services are available for a
fee.
Culture and Information:
- -The Helsinki Festival is a city festival which gathers 200,000 people
in Helsinki at the end of August and beginning of September to enjoy
a cornucopia of cultural events. The offices of the Helsinki Festival
are located in the Lasipalatsi building.
- At the Kirjakaapeli library all the information services of a regular
public library are available, as are a wide range of ways of finding
information on the Internet.
- The Eurooppa-tiedotus gives information on matters concerning the
European Union.
- For Swedish-speakers Luckan gives information on cultural events.
- The City of Helsinki Youth Information Office Kompassi offers young
people information on jobs, studies, living and life in general.
- At the Skenet Café in connection with the Lasipalatsi Café you can browse for information on cultural event.
Exhibitions and Events:
On the Nykyaika (Modern Times) stage there is a succession of exhibitions
that use space, themes and events to show the everyday life of the Finnish
information society. Lasipalatsi's very own Näyttely (Exhibition)
gallery is located on street level. There citizens can take a look at
the changing art and media exhibitions. Lasipalatsi is also home to a
number of different cultural and media events.
Cafés and Restaurant:
The cafés in different parts of Lasipalatsi are popular meeting
places. In Café Skenet you can check out the cultural events on
the net over a cup of coffee and in the Meteori café you can relax
with a book, whereas the Café Rex is centred on movies. The Panorama
café has a view of people milling about in the city. The Lasipalatsi
restaurant is a Functionalist and traditional eatery with a 30's style
Palm Room.
TV Studios:
Behind the big windows of Lasipalatsi you will find more than one TV channel's
city studios. In the MTV3 studio the youth music programme Jyrki is made
daily. The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE's studio in the building is
used for its Morning TV show and for the taping of other interview programmes
as well as for live transmissions. The building also houses the commercial
TVTV! studio.
Book Kiosk:
A customer can walk into the Book Kiosk and choose a book from a book
menu and have it printed while he waits. At the moment the Kiosk's menu
contains some 50 titles ranging from Dostoevsky and Chekhov to modern
Nordic literature.
The Home & News Machine:
In the main lobby of the Café Lasipalatsi there is a Home & News
Machine, which can be used for a small fee to create your own Home & News
and put it on the net by following the instructions given by the machine.
Media Shopping Centre, R-kiosk and Fashion - All
in One:
The Lasipalatsi building also offers digitalisation services (Jarkoskuva-ReelOne),
videos (Laatuvideo), flowers (Kukka-Bukett) and IT services of the future,
which you can take a look at at the Helsinki Telephone Company's store
(Corner). In the building here is also an R-kioski and the Original Fashion
store, which offers fashion accessories and information about them. Many
of the Lasipalatsi enterprises also offer their services on the web.
Output and Results - Key Factor: improved regional
quality of life
The Lasipalatsi project connects the citizens both in the real as well
as in the virtual world and offers citizens advanced web based services.
In the real city, Lasipalatsi is a building located in the middle of Helsinki.
It has a digital library and freely available computers connected to Internet.
It also offers citizens a digital meeting point which connects the real
meeting point in Lasipalatsi building to the meeting points in some other
cities. In addition there is a virtual version of Lasipalatsi.
Virtual Lasipalatsi has been an experinment with several services. An
user survey has already been conducted on the users of the 3D-meeting
place in Virtual Lasipalatsi. Less than half of the users were able to
function without any technical troubles with their viewers. Visual 3D
layout was considered very good and the 3D-meeting point was considered
very good service by 73% of the surveyed users. 79% of those that had
visited several times intended to come again. 30% had used user to user
communication, 29% had used 3D- product presentations and 25% had followed
live radio broadcasts or live disc jockey performances. Only 2% had used
electronic shopping in the Telco store and 4% had user other Telco services
provided in Virtual Lasipalatsi. When we studied frequent visitors the
picture was slightly different. Communication with other visitors amounted
to 75% and live radio broadcasts to 54% and getting aquinted to other
people to 54%. People generally wished for more cultural content. Overall
the results were considered encouraging in this early phase.
Lessons and conclusions
The project has provided an example of how regeneration can be combined
with the introduction of new economic activities. The project converted
a declining traditional neighbourhood into a new centre of economic activity
using the application of Information Technology and the support to culture
and the arts.
The project developed a centre for experimentation and innovation by creating a focal point for designers, artists and people with expertise in Information Technology and multi-media activity. The integration of regeneration, technology and the support of creative and media industries have been of significance to the problems experienced and solutions adopted by a variety of European cities.
From Marianne Kajantie - City of Helsinki at the "New Technology and the City" conference ICT in September 2000 in The Hague
Application new media exhibitions:
This is an exhibition area on street level that is equipped with fast
network connections and specially deigned attractive computer stands.
The Exhibition has been used for creating several interesting media displays.
Two CD-ROM exhibitions have given visitors the chance to try out and compare
a variety of high-quality multimedia products. The selection on seven
computers includes European art CD-ROMs and new edutainment translated
into Finnish.
Lesson: 50% of the computers did not work so not many people could access
the application. Those people whose computer did work found the navigation
very difficult and complex. The target group was known but because of
the difficult navigation bar and the problems with the computers this
target group was not reached.
Simple Home & News maker:
The Home & News machine is located in the main entrance hall of Lasipalatsi
Centre. Using the simple interface the user can create a personal Home & News for 20 Finnish Marks. An image of the user and free form text fields
are placed on pre-designed templates selected by the user.
Lesson: People need the skills to know what they're doing and why. Not
everyone know the Internet language e.g. www., URL, etc. Not many people
are aware of the added value of a homepage. Especially those persons without
a PC and Internet at home have more difficulty to realise this. One anecdote:
An elderly man was looking at the screen and asked Marianna what he should
do now. She said that he had finished his homepage and that this could
not be access by people on the web.
She showed him how to retrieve his homepage on the web because he didn't
know how. When the man left he said that he would tell his grandchildren
because he had his homepage before they had.
Web at your fingertips
In addition to the network-connected computers in the Cable Book Library
and the youth information and counselling centre, several self-service
web kiosks have been placed in different parts of Lasipalatsi. With the
aid of a simple interface and a touch screen web surfing is easy, you
do not even have to be familiar with using a keyboard or a mouse.
Lesson: This application was developed to give people more information
regarding the political system in Helsinki and to create awareness under
the people. The portal from which the application started included political
information. Unfortunately figures show that people were not interested
in this information. The computers were mainly used for chatting and sending
and receiving e-mail.
Cinema:
The media centre has played a part in organising many public events in
Lasipalatsi. The central location of the centre has for instance made
big IT happenings like the Internet Fiesta '99 possible. This autumn 1999
events have been gathered under the heading Lasipalatsi Media Weeks and
include seminars on public records, digital images, media art and the
information society on urban planning.
Lessons: In the courses that were provided the teachers had the problems
to give their lessons in 'plain' Finnish. It was very difficult to re-organise
their lecture in a more simple and comprehensible way. On talking with
a person in the audience who was about to leave Marianna learned that
people are looking for more practical training. E.g. how to use your mobile
phone.
Other lessons:
In meeting with Nokia the administration requested some time in order
to test if citizens really wanted this application. Initially they agreed
only to return later with the same application. Industry cannot slow down
to meet the pace of public administrations. Administration feels like
industry is very commercial and they are stuck with applications they
don't even know if their citizens would want. Public administration has
a hard time to keep up with the speed of the industry, we request you
give us time and try to make things simple as possible for us. Another
point is the cost. If Industry is willing to pay unbelievable money for
the UMTS frequencies should it be the customer who eventually has to pay
and bring up the return on investment?
References and links
www.lasipalatsi.fi
europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/urban2/urban/upp/src/frame4.htm
europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/projects/stories/details.cfm?pay=FI&the=17&sto=459&lan=5
Helsinki Arena 2000 - Augmenting a Real City to a Virtual One, by Risto Linturi, Marja-Riitta Koivunen, Jari Sulkanen from Helsinki Telephone Corporation, Finland. www.linturi.fi/HelsinkiArena2000/
References and links - Key Factor: improved regional innovation and R&D
www.helsinkiarena2000.fi
www.linturi.fi/HelsinkiArena2000/
www.infocities.org
www.trident3d.net/
References and links - Key Factor: improved regional quality of life
Article: Helsinki Arena 2000 - Augmenting a Real City to a Virtual One
By: Risto Linturi, Marja-Riitta Koivunen, Jari Sulkanen from Helsinki
Telephone Corporation, Finland
www.linturi.fi/HelsinkiArena2000/