12.06.2025
Vitality of Jyväskylä city centre has grown significantly
The vitality of Jyväskylä’s city centre has increased significantly over the past three years. According to a recent report by Elävät Kaupunkikeskustat ry (EKK), the vitality of Jyväskylä’s core city centre has risen by 15.4%, which is the best performance among large and medium-sized cities.
The vitality calculation includes the total number of shops and restaurants in the city centre, subtracts vacant commercial premises, and relates the result to the city’s population. Every change in the use of commercial space affects the vitality score.
The growth in Jyväskylä’s city centre vitality is remarkable and ranks highest among large and medium-sized cities. The 15.4% increase over three years is due to, among other things, the rise in the number of shops and restaurants and the decrease in vacant premises.
– This positive turnaround is the result of increased cooperation organized by Jyväskylän Sydämessä ry, as well as the active role of shopping centres and street-level businesses, says Janne Viitamies, Project Manager at the City of Jyväskylä.
Among large cities, Jyväskylä and Lahti have seen the largest relative decrease in vacant commercial spaces. In Jyväskylä, the number of vacant premises has dropped by 21.1% in three years. However, the share of vacant commercial spaces in Jyväskylä (11.69%) is still above the national average of 10.3%, alongside Turku.
– We will achieve even more as the city accelerates its ‘The Full Score Downtown’ programme. The programme includes, for example, the Lyseo Cultural Block project and the renovation of Kauppakatu, Viitamies says.
The vitality calculation also included the population of the broader city centre area, known as the “15-minute city centre.” This refers to the number of residents living within one kilometre of the commercial core (a maximum 15-minute walk from home).
The population density of the 15-minute city centre in Jyväskylä has increased by 29.4% since the beginning of the 2000s, making it the fourth highest in Finland. For vitality, it is important that as many people as possible live and work in the city centre and primarily use its services.
Strengthening the vitality of the city centre is essential for sustainable urban development. Reducing vacant commercial spaces and increasing population density in city centres are key ways to improve vitality.
More information:
Janne Viitamies, City of Jyväskylä, +358 50 477 1511, janne.viitamies@jyvaskyla.fi
Martti Wilhelms, Voittajakaupungit Oy, +358 50 538 4334, martti.wilhelms@salokorpi.com