Lahti

Latest

1. Talent and innovation · 29 SEPT 2026

   Pre-study backs a new city-centre university campus at Ranta-Kartano in Lahti

   A pre-study by the City of Lahti, LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences recommends further work on a campus at Ranta-Kartano.

   Facts and source

   • The City of Lahti, LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences launched the pre-study at the end of 2025.
   • The pre-study recommends continuing preparation and setting up a development company to start planning.
   • It recommends delivering the project in phases.

   Source: City of Lahti, “Korkeakoulukampuksen esiselvitys: Ranta-Kartanosta voi muodostua Lahden uusi osaamisen ja elinvoiman keskittymä”

2. Inclusion · 2 SEPT 2026

   EU co-funded International Work Lahti project reaches nearly 200 job placements

   An evaluation of Lahti's recruitment project for foreign-language job seekers estimates €3.93 of social value for every euro invested.

   Facts and source

   • By the end of August 2026 the International Work Lahti project had achieved nearly 200 job placements.
   • The evaluation estimates 3.93 euros of social value for every euro invested in the project.
   • The project is administered by the City of Lahti and co-funded by the EU.

   Source: City of Lahti, “The International Work Lahti project has led to nearly 200 job placements – an evaluation shows significant societal benefits”

3. Mobility · 27 AUG 2026

   Lahti's downtown bus stop pilot gets real-time displays after a smooth start

   New departure displays are in use at Lahti's pilot bus stops in the city centre, where the trial began on 10 August 2026.

   Facts and source

   • A shared departure display for the new downtown bus stops has been installed next to the main entrance of Trio.
   • The stop pilot began on 10 August and bus service has been running well.
   • 1.13 million people walked or cycled along Aleksanterinkatu between 1 May and 15 August.

   Source: City of Lahti, “Screens at the new bus stops in the city center and a schedule display are now in use”

4. AI and technology · 25 AUG 2026

   Lahti plans a second large data centre in the Kujala industrial area

   A data centre developed by ecogrid.energy Oy and Peab is planned for Kujala, with construction expected to start in the first half of 2027.

   Facts and source

   • A new data centre is planned for the Kujala industrial area in Lahti.
   • Construction is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, with completion expected in 2028.
   • Peab estimates the construction phase alone will create more than 3,000 person-years of employment.

   Source: City of Lahti, “A new high-value data centre coming to Lahti”

5. Civic participation · 10 JUN 2026

   Evaluation of Lahti's participatory budgeting asks for a stronger link to decisions

   A review of Lahti's participatory budgeting for 2020-2025 finds clear local results but a weak connection to wider city decision-making.

   Facts and source

   • Lahti's participatory budgeting (OSBU) was evaluated for the years 2020-2025.
   • The evaluation found that its connection to broader decision-making and strategic planning remains weak.
   • The City Council has decided participatory budgeting will continue every two years.

   Source: City of Lahti, “Residents shape Lahti through participatory budgeting – next goal is wider engagement”

City briefs are drafted with AI from official sources; every fact is checked against the source text before an editor approves it.

Projects we track

5 projects · 1 completed · 2 under way

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Kujala data centre

  A data centre developed by ecogrid.energy Oy and Peab is planned for the Kujala industrial area; a building permit application has been submitted, with completion expected in 2028.

  AI and technology

  Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Ranta-Kartano higher education campus

  A pre-study by the city, LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences recommends continuing work on a new campus at Ranta-Kartano and setting up a joint development company.

  Talent and innovation

  Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  Downtown bus stop pilot

  Since 10 August 2026 buses use new pilot stops in the city centre, with shared and stop-specific real-time displays, alongside new public transport quality corridors.

  Mobility

  Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  International Work Lahti

  An EU co-funded city project that matches unemployed foreign-language job seekers with employers; it reached nearly 200 job placements by August 2026 and runs until the end of 2026.

  Budget approximately €1.7 million (project costs) Funded by European Union (European Social Fund) Inclusion

  Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

• 1. Planned
  2. Funded
  3. Under way
  4. Completed

  ZERO-TRAIL zero-emission city logistics

  An EU-funded 2025-2026 project in which Lahti, LADEC and LAB prepared a sustainable urban logistics plan (SULP), approved by the city board, and studied charging infrastructure for freight.

  Funded by EU Cities Mission (NetZeroCities Enabling City Transformation programme) Mobility

  Status checked 20 October 2026 · Source

EU programmes and networks

• European title · 2021 European Green Capital 2021 European Green Capital for 2021 ›
• EU Cities Mission · 2022 EU Mission: 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission City, selected in 2022 ›
• Eurocities Eurocities Member city ›
• Covenant of Mayors · 2012 Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Signatory ›
• URBACT · 2023 URBACT One Health 4 Cities Partner city in the action planning network ›

From the archive

• City profile · May 2024 Discover the Enchanting Charm and Sustainable Splendor of Lahti: Finland's European Green Capital 2021