The Encounter between Manor and City: Manor Landscapes in Urban Planning in Helsinki

Abstract

This article examines the encounter between historical manor landscapes and urban development in Helsinki. It looks at the transformation of privately-owned noble estates and their agricultural land into suburban landscapes from the early 20th century to the present. The study, which focuses on urban planning and the conservation and management of historical landscapes, addresses two questions: How has the historical value of manor landscapes been recognized in urban planning, and how can the integration of historical landscapes and urban development be best supported? The main data addressed by the research consists of planning documents, historical maps, and empirical observations. Four case studies are used to elucidate the evolution of the manor landscape, planning solutions, and conservation measures. The article emphasizes the interaction between conservation, urban planning, and the adaptive reuse of historic environments to support the integrated management of historical landscapes. The findings deepen our understanding of landscape heritage and contribute to the development
of a future-oriented strategy of change management, through which historical landscapes can be meaningfully integrated into contemporary urbanized society.