Green and recreational areas play an important role in the formation of a pleasant living environment. Wide green, water and recreational areas balance the built environment. They secure the aesthetic, recreational, cultural and diversity values of landscapes and nature.
© Tuomo Brjörksten
Built areas should be complemented with internal parks, areas for vegetation, recreational and water areas and the accompanying pedestrian and bicycle routes. Green areas and routes form the green network and green structure. They are important, both ecologically and for the needs, well-being and health of people. When planning green areas, attention should also be paid to ecosystem services and drainage water control, for example.
Recreational areas and outdoor routes are an important part of the services offered by the society. Together with everyman’s rights and vast nature reserves, they provide Finland with outdoor possibilities that are unrivalled by most European countries.
In order to plan and develop recreational areas further, the municipalities and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) collect information on their location, number, quality, use and planning processes.