A MULTI-LEVEL CITY
Our proposal is to develop the level immediately under the tracks as a consistent pedestrian realm around the station area. We have developed a network of connections under the tracks, which is to a large extent pre-existing, but whose retail and service content has been much enhanced. We have defined two underground pathways under the tracks:
The pedestrian walkway on the side on the underground vehicular tunnel on the extension of Hämeenkatu. This is a functional walkway which enables people to cross the tracks when the underground shopping centre is closed. A new loop formed by the pre-existing Northern and Southern corridors which has been expanded to accommodate additional shopping frontage along the whole corridor. These two preexisting branches have been linked on the East and the West with additional connections with active frontage, which form a continuous loop connecting the two alternative platform tunnels with the Station and the new Bus Station. Two large, open-air auditoria, carved on the plaza surface, will link directly with the new underground pedestrian infrastructure, producing a seamless connection between levels. The two large openings to the underground space have been dimensioned as small open theaters capable to host events and performances. The Station Square will become the new citizen’s living room. On the south side of the Station Square, another open air auditorium/monumental stair will extend the public space to the rooftop of the Rautatiekatu complex, which will become a new open public space with a fantastic vantage perspective over the new Station canopy, producing a pedestrian continuous deck between the Station Plaza and the future Arena.