Sustainably Developing Imatra

THE CITY OF IMATRA STRENGTHENS THE VITALITY OF THE REGION, PROMOTES THE WELLBEING OF ITS CITIZENS AND RENEWS ITS POLICIES IN A FINANCIALLY, SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE WAY.

In the everyday-life of citizens, this can be seen, for example, in the centralisation of services and the re-thinking of the city plan. Well-designed planning solutions, functional and solid community structure as well as transportation arrangements support sustainability in all areas of everyday-life. The new city plan extends all the way to 2040.

– The main idea is that Imatra expands through concentration. At the same time, we are also going through the policy guidelines of the action plan for sustainable urban development from this point of view, says City Engineer Päivi Pekkanen.

The city of Imatra cooperates with its subsidiaries Mitra Oy and Imatran Lämpö Oy in order to carry out concrete climate actions.

Mitra manages most of the city's properties: it reduces existing repair debt, improves the energy efficiency of existing buildings, and builds new, energy-efficient and cost-effective real estate.

Imatran Lämpö Oy has significantly reduced the city's greenhouse gas emissions after shifting to domestic biofuels in the production of district heating. Approximately 50% of the city's households and more than 90% of public and commercial properties are customers of Imatran Lämpö Oy.

Pekkanen feels that collaboration with the subsidiaries is straightforward and matters can be brought up quickly.

– We are able to solve different challenges together smoothly. We have the required abilities and open-mindedness. We mirror the mental vitality, desires and aspirations as well as the worries and sorrows of the community and we put things in motion.

In addition to the city's own activities, Imatra is also known for its large industrial companies, which spread information of circular economy and of renewable energy. Stora Enso's mills in Imatra develop wooden fibre-based packaging materials. The steel production of Ovako is based on a purely recycled steel grain, and the Vuoksi River generates three times the energy that the city of Imatra needs.