Background
I got involved in politics in 2003 because I wanted to save the world – and I still do. I am particularly worried about the eradication of the welfare state and climate change. Only an equal and undivided society can afford to get involved in saving the whole atmosphere for the centuries to come.
In practice, at present I am involved in politics as a city councillor and member of the Helsinki city board. I am also the vice chairman of the Green caucus in Helsinki city council.
I have fostered greater transparency in decision-making for my part by writing about all of the meetings of the city board on this blog. Other topics close to my heart include for example cultural policy, cycling and urban planning.
I hold the degree of MA in Music and earn my living by composing, mixing, doing sound design and playing the accordion, tuba and keyboards.
In recent years I have worked with theatres (Lahti City Theatre, Hurjaruuth, Dance Theatre Minimi, etc.) as well as being involved in several other performances in various locations.
I’ve been lucky – in being able to earn my living by doing fantastic things with great people.
I went to school in Savonlinna and moved to Helsinki for my studies in 1999. I am 38 years old and live my family in Herttoniemi. I love the densely-built inner city, its streets, sounds and people. Helsinki is right now the best place in the world to live.
Culture
Often the best way for politicians to foster urban culture is to leave it alone – politicians don’t need to get involved in everything, it’s enough just to provide a functional framework. A buzzing city can be created by simplifying the process of event licensing, reasonable rent for event spaces, affordable workplaces and, generally, by fostering an open and encouraging context for experimental urban culture.
Helsinki is the cultural capital of Finland: the majority of the artists of our country live and work here. This is why Helsinki needs to be a pioneer in cultural policy as well. We can at once maintain our high-quality cultural institutions and develop the budding lively and diverse cultural field. I particularly proud of the House of Dance that will be built at Kaapeli and also the ”Kaasukello” in Suvilahti. I was deeply involved politically with both projects.
Urban Planning
It must be possible to reduce the cost of living in Helsinki. The best way to further this aim is by planning and building more. In order to improve the competition in the market, regulations which unnecessarily increase the cost of construction, such as the requirement to provide one parking space per residence, should be given up, and the city itself should act as developer.
In a densely-built city it is possible also to provide high-quality local services, such as welfare clinics, daycares, schools, libraries and health centres. We must find a way to improve the process for predicting the demand for nursery places.
An equal city is a nicer place to live also for the better-off. The best way to stop residential areas becoming increasingly inequal is to foster diverse urban planning, education and employment. It should also be made easier for those addicted on alcohol or drugs to get formal help.