Urban Renewal Actors in Finland, 1950s–1970s: A Case Study of Amuri in Tampere

Abstract

The article discusses the post-war redevelopment of Amuri, a wooden workers' district in Tampere, identifying those involved in the redevelopment and the forces driving this process. Amuri is special due to the area's close connection to the Finlayson textile factory. Urban renewal provided a platform for collaboration between various stakeholders, enabling the implementation of local governance. The renewal was driven forward by city officials and planners, landowners such as Finlayson, and organisations such as Amuri Oy. Finlayson's role was particularly significant in terms of housing policy. While the renovation was characterised as technocratic and lacked a cultural and social dimension, the interview material used in this article provided insight into the role of residents as creators of desired modernity.