Kupittaan kärki Partnership Project, Turku

We are involved in the Kupittaan kärki partnership project, which is one of the City of Turku’s most important urban development initiatives. The project brings together the districts of Kupittaa and Itäharju into a cohesive, city-centre-like area. It also strengthens the position of Turku Science Park as one of Finland’s most significant growth hubs.

The development phase began in early 2023, and zoning of the area started in autumn 2023. The Turku City Council approved the transition to the implementation phase of the project on 17 November 2025. Construction began in early 2026, and the project is planned to be completed in phases during 2028.

The Taito Campus of the Turku Vocational Institute (approx. 22,000 gross m²) is a campus building for service-sector education, designed for around 3,000 students and 300 staff members. The building will serve as a landmark for the area and accelerate the development of Kupittaan kärki into a vibrant urban environment. It will provide an attractive hub where high-quality public indoor and outdoor spaces create a new type of meeting place for city residents. The aim of the Taito Campus is to promote low-carbon solutions, energy efficiency and urban biodiversity. Once completed, it will be one of the first educational buildings in Turku to achieve a four-star rating in the Rakennustieto Environmental Classification.

The infrastructure project includes the construction of a public transport deck crossing Helsinginkatu and the railway, a parking facility (approx. 630 spaces), a mobility hub, a public deck square (Vipusenaukio), and a pavilion that serves as an access route to the functions located beneath the deck. The deck will connect the Kupittaa and Itäharju areas, enabling smooth public transport, pedestrian and cycling connections. Drop-off and service yards located beneath the deck will enhance the functionality and safety of the area. The solutions will also improve accessibility and sustainable mobility in the area and support the commissioning of the Taito Campus. The project prioritises low-carbon and circular economy solutions, and its implementation supports the City of Turku’s carbon neutrality target as well as the sustainability criteria of the EU Taxonomy.

The Kupittaan kärki partnership project exceptionally extensive and diverse. In addition to building and infrastructure projects, it also includes urban development as part of the preparation of the zoning reference plan for the area. The project is implemented as an alliance, with the City of Turku, YIT, Lundén Architecture and Renell Käppi Arkkitehdit as partners. The City of Turku is represented in the project by Turku Technology and Science Park Ltd.

The development of Kupittaan kärki will proceed in phases. The area as a whole will be zoned in two parts. The zoning plan for the first phase of the area became legally valid on 15 November 2025. Zoning for the second phase is progressing, and the zoning proposal is expected to be made publicly available in spring 2026. The City of Turku will decide separately on the progress of the zoning process to ensure that the development proceeds as planned and in line with the objectives.

YIT has also built several projects in the Kupittaa area in Turku, including Kupittaa campus of Turku University of Applied Sciences, Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa, the Kupittaa Ball Game Hall, Veritas’ Headquarters and Kupittaan Parkki parking facilities.