Research: urban residents want to invest in the development of public transport, cycling and walking

According to a barometer commissioned by YIT, when asked about the three main modes of transport that urban residents would like to see investment in, the most important in cities are public transport (50% of respondents), cycling (47%) and walking (45%). 

The importance of good public transport connections and cycle paths has continued to increase in the appreciation of one’s own residential area from 47% in 2021 to 58% in 2022. Their importance is highlighted in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Jyväskylä. 

Residents want to invest in rail transport especially in Tampere (45%) and Helsinki (39%), even though the construction of new railway connections will cause additional costs for the city. In Turku, almost one in three residents (29%) support investing in rail transport. Over half (57%) support increasing rail transport for travel comfort and 40% for low emissions. Low emissions are emphasised the most by those concerned about climate change. 

Car use has declined

The popularity of travelling by own car has fallen by 6% since 2021. One in three urban residents travel by bicycle or electric bicycle on a weekly basis. 

The share of residents who prefer commuting by walking and cycling is the lowest in Espoo and Vantaa, regardless of how long the journey to the workplace is. Walking and cycling have been relatively unpopular in Espoo and Vantaa for several years, while commuting by bicycle in Oulu, Jyväskylä and Kuopio has clearly increased in popularity, where every second resident travels by bike on a weekly basis.

The share of people who own a fully electric car or a rechargeable hybrid has increased to 9%, and every fourth person plans to purchase a rechargeable hybrid or fully electric car in the next 1–2 years. Electric cars and rechargeable hybrids have been getting increasingly common, especially among those who commute more than 10 kilometres.

Electric car charging stations have become more common: Every sixth respondent (16%) has an electric car charging station in their housing company, which is an increase of four percentage points from last year. At the same time, support for electric car charging stations has increased slightly (5%) among those who do not own a car. 

Further reading: 
Download the Sustainable Urban Environments barometer
Cities on rails

Further information:
Juha Kostiainen, Executive Vice President, Sustainable Urban Development, YIT. Media inquiries through Group Communications, tel. +358 44 743 7536, press@yit.fi 
Maija Taimi, Senior Vice President, Communications, YIT, tel. +358 50 487 1561, maija.taimi@yit.fi 

YIT is the largest Finnish and a significant North European development and construction company. For 110 years, we have been creating better living environments for our customers: functional homes for sustainable living, future-proof public and commercial buildings and infrastructure for smoother flow of people, businesses and society. We employ 5,500 professionals in nine countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. Our revenue in 2021 was EUR 2.7 billion. YIT Corporation’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy. www.yitgroup.com

*The Sustainable urban environments barometer survey is directed at the residents of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä and Kuopio. The number of respondents for the online panel this year was 1,074 + 348 (separate sample of office workers). The data represents the population of 18–75 years old residents of cities by gender and age. The survey was conducted between September and October 2022.  Prior Konsultointi conducted the survey as an assignment of YIT.