Helsinki-Uusimaa and Tallinn-Harjumaa capital regions - on the way to a sustainable cross-border metropolitan region

Abstract

This master thesis focuses on assessing the cross-border co-operations between the metropolitan capital regions of Helsinki-Uusimaa (Finland) and Tallinn-Harjumaa (Estonia). It studies in detail the potentials, sustainability and shortcomings through the analysis of the mentioned metropolitan regions, and their territorial co-operation in planning in the past, present and the near future. These two EU member countries’ capitals are located in northern Europe, and, although being relatively small in their size considering inhabitants or economy, are continuously gaining importance on the European scientific- and regional development plateau.

Different theories of regional and cross-border planning are utilized to explain the background of the emergence of the need to co-operate for the two metropolitan capital regions. The different cultural backgrounds and planning systems, practices and policies are taken up to compare the metropolitan regions in their current state. Furthermore, a collection of selected past, present and future co-operational endeavours and projects is compiled and analysed to sort out the territorial co-operations and their impacts.

Based on the conclusions from the analysis of the case study regions, recommendations are developed in order to further enhance the concept of the two metropolitan capital regions. The main results are included in concepts, providing both metropolitan regions with ideas from cross-border administration, unification of the strategic planning levels to the very creation of a sustainable ‘Talsinki’ metropolitan region.