Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing? This comparison came up as a cause for concern on Monday, when the city of Vaasa organized a public meeting about the plans to clear Gerby’s nearby forest and build apartments instead.
The future plans of the city of Vaasa for one of the central nearby forests of Gerby’s residential area have already aroused the opposition of almost 1,600 people. The new Gerby rinne – residential area planned by the city of Vaasa is being zoned in the middle of the forest, which is used for active and versatile recreational use by the local residents.
Over the decades, the area has become an important neighborhood forest for many people, where people go for both exercise and relaxation. This project, when realized, would bring up to 300 new residents to the forest in apartment, terraced and single-family houses.
The address opposing the project has collected so many names that the city reacted to it by organizing an open public meeting about the project. The event was held at the Gerby Swedish-language school in Vaasa on Monday.
Not all the tables and chairs in the dining room were enough when people wanted to express their concerns about the city’s plans. The new site plan area would be 13 hectares in size and 4.3 hectares would be built on it.
Where are the services, the residents ask
The concern and wonder on Monday was particularly aroused by how Gerby’s services are in a miserable state compared to the size of the residential area. Residents reminded that kindergartens and schools are already full and yet new families with children are constantly moving to the area.
Just a moment ago in Gerby, there was dismay at the abolition of its own health center, even though the need for it in the ever-growing region is huge.
There was doubt in the hall as to whether the public’s voice for the services of the nearby areas and the nearby forests could be heard further than the Gerby school dining hall.
Many said directly that they also do not want apartment buildings in the area where single-family homes and townhouses are profitable.
This is how the new residential area was commented
*\”It was good that you (in the zoning) explained how those apartment buildings will be built there in Vaskiluoto and elsewhere. Then they won’t be needed here anymore.\”*
*\”And when you said that areas are also zoned for shops and other services, have they really been zoned and where are those services at the moment? These questions should be resolved before 300 more residents are brought here again.\”*
*\”Now let’s do the math: More than 10,000 people are giving up 20 percent of their own recreational areas, which are also used by others. To get 3 percent more residents. It doesn’t make any sense mathematically anymore.\”*
Many also emphasized the genuine unspoiled forest feel that the area on both sides of the chewing track has offered.
The area also has an established and regularly used trail network, which would also remain at the feet of the planned area.
Concern was also raised about the impact of logging on the rest of the remaining nature and its ecosystem.
– Of course, there will still be such a broader political discussion about what kind of values \u200b\u200bwill be formed in this, he continues.
According to Schulte-Tigges, all the information received during the initiation phase will be reviewed, and based on that, conclusions will be drawn as to whether and how to proceed to the draft phase.
– The timetable estimate given in the station plan will probably also be re-evaluated. In the future, the project will also require time and more interaction than usual.
– These comments given so far have already affected my own work in such a way that, just like what has been sketched and planned, I will not take this forward. But how much this changes, it will become clear during this process, Oliver Schulte-Tigges sums up.
*What thoughts did the story evoke? You can participate in the discussion until Wednesday 2 November. until 11 p.m.*