Zoning plan proposal for Kaukajärvi School extension approved and made available

The school is located in the Kaukajärvi district at Juvankatu 13, approximately 7 kilometres southeast of the centre of Tampere. The total size of the area is approximately 3.2 hectares.

The zoning plan proposal presents the possibility of demolishing the old school building designed by Harry W. Schreck and completed in 1971 and replacing it with a new building that can accommodate 1300 pupils and 160 children in day-care. The new school would also have teaching facilities for students who need special support, a library and youth facilities. The merger of Kaukajärvi School, Juva Day-care Centre and Annala School is based on an approved survey on day-care centres and schools.

Drafts and feedback

In October the public had access to two draft options for the change to the zoning plan, one of which would have made it possible to partially preserve the old building. After more detailed condition surveys of the school, the summary report on repair needs recommended that the meaningfulness of repairs should also be assessed from an economic perspective. Planning continued with an option for demolishment. 

The feedback on the publicly available preparatory material and, for example, the vote organised by the student union highlighted the wish for a new school building. Statements from authorities included some in favour of the option of partial preservation. 

Kaukajärvi library provided info service regarding the zoning plans while the plans were available for the public.  In discussions concern was raised about the indoor air of the current school, the pick-up and drop-off traffic of the future school and the adequacy of parking spaces as well as the traffic arrangements in the area at a more general level. Some are hoping that the school facilities are made available for use in the evenings and weekends. Children who came to the event hoped for different kinds of equipment and activities in the courtyard of the new school.

Four-storey school building

The plan proposes the possibility of demolishing the current school building and replacing it with a new one, to which 19,000 square metres of floor area are allocated. The maximum number of floors allowed is four, above which a ventilation machine room may be placed.

Special attention must be paid to how the new buildings fit into the neighbourhood and streetscape. The materials of the façade must also be of high quality. Noise from traffic and aircrafts should be considered in the sound proofing of the building.

More trees should be planted in the yard, which would not only increase comfort and introduce shaded places of spend time but also support the ecological route in the east-west direction. Existing trees at the edges of the plot must also be left untouched. Groundwater and soil should likewise be taken into account in the planning and construction of the area.

Part of the plot next to the Juvankatu street borders the street area, meaning that road safety could be improved on the Juvankatu street and especially at the bus stop. 

The intention is to build the school gradually so that no temporary buildings are needed on the plot. This saves the city significant costs. Particular attention will also be paid to the cityscape in the project planning phase.

Link to the meeting system Committee for City Planning / Yhdyskuntalautakunta 17.12.2024 (In Finnish)