HAMK explores the relocation of the Hämeenlinna campus to the city centre
The new central campus could be located around the existing bus station. The potential investment would be a major boost to the vitality of Hämeenlinna city centre, bringing 2000-5000 students, teachers, researchers and staff to the city centre every day.
HAMK, in cooperation with the City of Hämeenlinna, is exploring the possibility of building a new campus for Häme University of Applied Sciences in the centre of Hämeenlinna. Preliminary discussions have taken place on the existing bus station site or on the land opposite it, on the other side of Paasikiventie.
Moving the campus would bring 2000-5000 students, teachers, researchers and other staff to the city centre every day.
“HAMK is constantly growing and developing, and we want Hämeenlinna to be a developing and vibrant student city,” says HAMK President Pertti Puusaari.
“Nowadays, universities want to be located close to good connections and services. Having modern facilities within walking distance of the railway station that enable modern teaching and learning is a major attraction,” says Puusaari.
“Teaching and learning in higher education is changing, and with the new facilities we want to respond to this change. HAMK applies the design-based education model, according to which we want to design the facilities to be open, adaptable and suitable for group work,” says Vice President Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä.
HAMK has held preliminary discussions with the city’s management about the potential investment, and the topic was discussed with Hämeenlinna City Council on Monday 11.3.2024.
The potential investment still requires a lot of preparation and decision-making, but if the project goes ahead, construction could start in 2027 at the earliest.
We see this as a great opportunity for both us and the city.
Pertti Puusaari, President
“We have often been asked whether HAMK could bring its activities to the city centre. We see this as a great opportunity for both us and the city. With our investment plans, we are offering Hämeenlinna a significant opportunity to develop the vitality of the city centre and the city as a whole,” says President Pertti Puusaari.
Preliminary plans envisage that the campus could cover an area of around 17 000 m2, and that almost all of Hämeenlinna’s current activities would move there from the current University Centre in Visamäki, with the exception of certain areas of research. The building design has not yet been carried out, but a possible price estimate for a building of this size could be around EUR 60 million.
HAMK has made provisions for building investments as part of its normal budget planning. The city is exploring the possibility of participating in the project as part of the planning.
HAMK is also planning a similar campus investment in Riihimäki together with the city organisation. In Riihimäki, the new campus would be located in the station area.
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