Who is Janne?
I am Janne Hakkarainen, Chair of the Board at the Oulu Theatre and a Master of Arts. I work as a communications specialist at the University of Oulu.
I envision Oulu as a growing, open-minded, urban, and international city that fights climate change by investing in and encouraging sustainable transportation and cohesive urban development. A city that provides high-quality, diverse education and where cultural opportunities abound.
In my vision, Oulu is known for its creativity, openness, and business-friendly environment. It has a strong reputation as a cultural and technology hub and as a pioneer in ecological mobility, tourism, and housing. Oulu is a city where no one is discriminated against based on their background.
I am running as a candidate for the Green Party in the 2025 municipal elections.
Vision
I have a vision of Oulu as a growing, open-minded, urban, and international city that fights climate change by promoting sustainable transportation and compact urban structures. It is a city offering high-quality, diverse education and vibrant cultural opportunities.
The Oulu I envision has an attractive reputation as a creative, open-minded, and business-friendly cultural and technology city. It leads the way in ecological mobility, tourism, and housing and ensures that no one faces discrimination based on their background.
Values and approach
As a decision-maker, I aim to base my actions on researched knowledge and treat other decision-makers with respect. I do not see those with differing opinions as enemies. I am socially and morally liberal, and I constantly read newspapers, magazines, and non-fiction to expand and update my understanding.
Goals
Transport and urban planning
Urban planning is a key tool for municipalities to reduce emissions. We should densify urban structures through infill development and invest in sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, and public transport.
Investing in culture enhances Oulu’s appeal, supports well-being, and enriches leisure time.
A cohesive urban structure makes it easier to organize services, leading to cost savings. As more people walk, cycle, or use public transport, emissions decrease, healthcare costs go down, and the city becomes more pleasant to live in.
Culture and arts
The positive well-being effects of culture are clear. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that cultural services are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, health, financial situation, or other personal circumstances.
I value both the intangible significance of culture and its regional economic impact. People enjoy vibrant cities, whether they are residents or tourists.
Education
I want to build a society where social mobility is possible, and no child’s future is determined by their family background.
Instead of focusing solely on the location and size of school buildings, I emphasize what happens inside them. This means prioritizing high-quality education and childcare.
Housing costs
If an area has high property prices, it indicates high demand. We should increase supply in areas where people want to live. Since land is a limited resource, our city center must also grow upwards.
We should maintain Oulu’s land policy, where land development occurs only on municipally owned properties. This prevents undeserved financial gains from rising property values.
Future growth and development
I want to promote green growth by directing population growth through infill development. This reduces unnecessary travel and makes it easier to organize services and public transport. Increasing the population in the city center is particularly important, as a larger population base enables diverse commercial services and urban culture.
In the Oulu I strive for, we embrace socially and ecologically sustainable economic activities that boost our tax revenue.
I am generally supportive of large urban development projects, as they are essential for the vitality of our city.
The city must also support universities in attracting new students and researchers from across Finland and around the world. As the working-age population shrinks, it’s crucial to attract talent from abroad.
Economy
A strong municipal economy is most important for those who rely on public services the most, as the most privileged will always manage. Delaying solutions only limits our ability to address problems later.
Structural reforms should be the primary approach, but raising property taxes could also be considered. According to economists, property tax increases are far less harmful than income tax hikes, which can discourage work.
I am not opposed to borrowing, but it must be controlled and used for productive purposes. I do not support borrowing to delay necessary reforms, and we must avoid situations where loans are used to cover annual operating costs, also known as ”eating the seed corn.”