Student centre project has come to an end
The Student Centre is the joint construction project of Aalto University Student Union (AYY), the Swedish-speaking student nation Teknologföreningen (TF), and Aalto University Business Students (KY). The plan was to locate the students’ meeting place near the Otaniemi metro station and light rail stop. In 2021, a project agreement was signed between the student parties, Aalto University, and Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (ACRE), in which the university took responsibility for project planning and construction. In the project agreement, the parties approved the price ceiling, which set the budget framework for the project.
The project has been significantly delayed due to appeals regarding land use plan amendments. Helsinki Administrative Court has rejected the original appeals, but further appeals to the Supreme Administrative Court are still pending. The land use plan has not yet received legal approval, and as a result, the parties have been unable to start construction.
Since 2021, construction costs in Finland have risen significantly. The latest cost estimates in the plans have exceeded the agreed price ceiling by several millions of euros. Thus, the planned Student Centre is no longer a sensible investment. The only options left are either an overpriced building with suitable facilities or an expensive building with fewer facilities.
The project parties AYY, TF, KY, Aalto University, and ACRE have agreed that, with the current economic prospects, it is not feasible to execute the Student Centre of tens of millions of euros as planned. The original project agreement will not be renegotiated after it expires on 19 Aug. However, work on the development of the campus and facilities will continue actively. The parties will work on the best alternative solutions for the community and hope that the seamless cooperation they had throughout the project will continue.
‘Several years of cooperation have been strong and have successfully united major student organisations in Otaniemi in tackling shared challenges. Even if it’s painful to rip off the bandage, this decision will open up new project opportunities for the future’, says AYY Board Member Veeti Kahilainen.
‘The project has been a valuable learning experience. The project has managed to engage several student nation members on important issues, which in turn has strengthened the broader Aalto community’, praises TF Board Member Ville Helaskoski.
‘Even though the project is now coming to an end, our cooperation with the student parties and university is ongoing. The end of one project opens up possibilities for the next, and I’m eagerly anticipating what we will achieve in the future’, concludes KY Board Member Kasper Palmqvist.
Further information:
Veeti Kahilainen, AYY Board Member (Student Centre, Campus, Facilities, Communications)
[email protected], +358 40 677 1855
Kasper Palmqvist, KY Board Member (Vice Chair, Premises, Finances)
[email protected], +358 50 412 0947
Ville Helaskoski, TF Board Member (Campus Affairs)
[email protected], +358 40 095 7358
Ville Jokela, Managing Director of ACRE
[email protected], +358 50 380 9701
Read more news
Ecological sustainability policy has been updated – AYY transitions to a plant-based policy
Aalto University Student Union (AYY) has updated its ecological sustainability policy, which supports AYY’s daily operations. The new document directs AYY to serve plant-based food and drinks at its events. In the future, food waste will be minimised, and 30 percent of air and ship travel costs will be offset towards environmental activities.
AYY is taking steps to improve equity in its operations – new equity plan approved by RepCo
Aalto University Student Union has an equity plan, first in AYY’s history, that was approved in the Representative Council meeting on 21.11.2024. Equity plan will guide AYY towards more accessible and inclusive ways for our students to participate in AYY’s events and operations.
Good news for residents in shared apartments: Here’s how you can receive your own housing allowance while living in a friends’ apartment!
A joint liability rental agreement may affect the housing allowance, as Kela typically grants only one housing allowance for a shared household, which is influenced by the income of both residents. However, residents in friends’ apartments may receive separate housing allowances if Kela reviews them as separate households. This requires tenants with a joint liability rental agreement to draft a mutual possession agreement for the apartment and submit it as an appendix with their housing allowance application to Kela. Tenants draft the possession agreement by themselves.