Questions regarding the competition

Questions presented to the jury from the competitors and the jury's answers:

Question 1.
Is Orimattila be looking to become a tourist destination with its transformation?

Answer 1.
An innovative and different town will attract tourists, but tourism is not the target of the town plan.

Question 2.
Will there be a site visit?

Answer 2.
No.

Question 3.
Is a physical model expected?

Answer 3.
No.

Question 4.
What is the trigger for urban growth for this area of Finland?

Answer 4.
The proximity to Finland's capital, Helsinki, and its pressures of expanding. The accessibility of fast transportation links from Henna (the railway line for fast trains to Helsinki international airport, sea port as well as to St. Petersburg; and the motorway to Helsinki and Lahti).

Question 5.
What are the documents I have to furnish? Do you have a list, with imperatives like the scales of the designs, or are the contestants free to send all of the documents that they think are necessary for the understanding of their project?

Answer 5.
See the competition programme, chapter 6.

Question 6.
Do the competitors have a right for the applications of what will be done with their ideas?

Answer 6.
See the competition programme, chapter 2.4.

Question 7.
Do we have to send a fax or some similar method to demonstrate the date of sending? How many days are there for the entries to arrive at destination after 31st March?

Question 8.
The competition closes 31st March 2010: Is the posted date indicated on the envelope the actual closed date to be accepted or do we have to submit the entries before the 31 March 2010 in Espoo?

Question 9.
"By 31 March 2010", do you mean that it is enough that the submission entries are postmarked on this date?

Question 10.
Concerning the submission: is the 31st of March 2010 the date of the post stamp or does the submission have to arrive at the competition office by the 31st of March?
If it is the date of the stamp; is there a deadline for the reception of all of the proposals at the competition office?

Answer 7, 8, 9 and 10.
See the competition programme, chapter 6.3. The postmark on the entries must be 31st of March 2010 or earlier. The arrivals of the entries are waited for ten days after the competition closes.

Question 11.
Do we have to include some documentation in the contact envelope, like, for example: a photocopy of an identity card, the architect´s diploma...in general, any documents to demonstrate that we are architects?

Answer 11.
No. See the competition programme part 1.2.

Question 12.
On page 11 of the competition programme, the master plan and its regulations are presented. There is a high-voltage power line going through the competition area. Is it possible to replace this power line underground or move it if sound economical and urban planning reasons are presented for it?

Question 13.
Is it possible for the competitors to move the whole power line or parts of it or replace it underground in the central Henna or near it?

Answer 12 and 13.
As a starting point, the location of the high voltage power line does not change (see the competition programme, Appendix 1). In the future, however, the power line may be changed to a 400 kV line in which case replacing the line may be possible. Due to the competition seeking mainly ideas, the competitors may present how this possible replacing of the power line would affect their plan.

Question 14.
In the appendix for the competition material, there are two master plans that dated 1.6.2009 and 23.12.2009. How do these differ from one another?

Answer 14.
Some corrections were made to the master plan dated June after feedback given to it, such as the width of the safety area for the power line has been corrected, (MY) markings were changed to (luo), some boundaries to reserved areas and a road aligning the power line have been checked.

Question 15.
What municipal services are expected to be designed to the P-2 area in the center of Henna besides a school and a daycare?

Answer 15.
The competitors are free to design these according to their consideration.

Question 16.
What is the expected number of inhabitants in the competition area of Henna (center and residential areas)? Can the competitors choose the number of inhabitants?

Question 17.
"The competitors' task is to create and plan an innovative and communal urban unit of the future for 20,000 inhabitants. The competitors' second task is to apply the planned urban unit solutions to the Henna area of Orimattila." For how many inhabitants is Henna planned for?

Answer 16 and 17.
The population target for the whole of Henna (i.e. the Master Plan area) is 20,000 (see competition programme, chapter 3.2 and Appendix 1). There is no specified population target for the "Central Area of the Competition", which is defined only to specify where the competitors must present and illustrate their ideas (see the competition programme, chapter 6.1, part 2). There will be no residential construction in Tuuliharja business area.

Question 18.
With a minimum time-span of 50 years: Do we consider the possibility of a continued growth of the population based on these 50 years or can we assume that the population will always be the same (since the competition condition)?

Answer 18.
The population target for Henna is 20,000 (see the competition programme, chapter 3.2). Larger population than this will set to the surrounding areas. The 50 years minimum time span (see the competition programme, chapter 6.1) is for the evaluation of the proposal's impacts on the future.

Question 19.
How many and what kind of commercial premises are planned for Tuuliharja area in the future?

Answer 19.
See the competition programme, chapter 3.3.

Question 20.
Is it possible to have the nature research of Iso-Henna on the website for the competitors to use?

Answer 20.
Knowing the Iso-Henna nature study is not necessary for the participation in the competition. There is a second class groundwater basin on the area ("pv2" on the map), inside that Spring Pasque Flowers (protected in Finland, "luo" on the map) and in addition a subway for animals under the motorway and train tracks. Siberian Flying Squirrel areas ("luo") have been found north of Henna, which is not part of the competition area.

Question 21.
Is it possible for the competitors to present new under crossings for the railway and motorway?

Answer 21.
It is possible with sound arguments but it should bear in mind that the municipality has to build and finance them.

Question 22.
Some of the legend displays on the maps are in Finnish. Is it possible to obtain them in English too?

Answer 22.
In the master plan, the legend is both in Finnish and English. The place-names are in Finnish.

Question 23.
Parts 1a and 1b must be presented with a paper size of A3 (max 6 pages), which can be a combination of size A4 sheets (two sheets side-by-side). Does that mean 6 pages for part 1a and 6 pages for 1b for a total number of 12 pages?

Question 24.
Part 2: The testing and application of ideas at Henna must be presented on a maximum of four size-A3 (297mm * 420 mm) drawings. In addition, the presentation may include a separate size-A4 explanation (maximum 4 pages) that must be combined into size A3 (2 sheets side-by-side). In resume, can we submit four size-A3 + two size-A3 for part 2 (total of 6 pages size-A3)?

Answer 23 and 24.
Parts 1a and 1b must be presented in A3 size with a maximum number of 6 pages. Part 2 must be presented in A3 size with a maximum number of 6 pages (4 pages for drawings and 2 pages for text). All together a maximum of 12 (size A3) pages.

Question 25.
The drawings and the explanation must be submitted on paper and in pdf-files. Do we have to fix the A3 documents on a rigid support? Do the documents need to be prepared with a wide range of wires and covers for wire binding or stapled?

Answer 25.
See the competition programme chapter 6.1. Binding is not regulated.

Question 26.
Could you tell us if the required files can be saved with any pdf version (Acrobat 7 version for example)?

Answer 26.
All pdf versions are accepted that can be opened with Adobe Acrobat.

Question 27.
Is it possible to obtain technical information of the region as: a demographic scheme as the number of the population and types, the natural resources percentage, the speed of the wind, the temperature through the seasons and the volume of the water presence on the territory?

Answer 27.
For current population data, see the competition programme, chapter 3.3.
For the target population, see the competition programme, chapter 3.2.
For natural resources and conditions, see the competition programme, chapters 1.1, 2.1 and 3.3 as well as the competition website www.srv.fi/into Competition Materials.

Question 28.
The written presentation may be accompanied by visual charts and other graphic devices. What do you mean by visual charts and graphic devices?

Answer 28.
Visual charts and graphic devices cover pie charts, column and bar graphs, line graphs, etc. that are available in all standard spreadsheet software (such as MS Excel) plus other numerically calculated or free hand presentations aiming at illustrating the described phenomenon.

Question 29.
1b. Visualization of the ideas in a way that produces a clear image of what the future town will look like and how living and working there will "feel". Do you mean that we have to submit one single image for 1b or a group of images illustrating a clear image?

Answer 29.
The number of visualisation images is not restricted; see the competition programme, chapter 6.1.

Question 30.
Why is there a current need for a new urban unit housing for 20,000 people in the area?

Answer 30.
See the competition programme, chapter 3.1.

Question 31.
Will there be an immediate need for the proposed residential housings?

Answer 31.
The construction is expected to start in 2011 and to be finished within 15-20 years. See the competition programme, chapter 1.1.

Question 32.
What social group could we expect to move into this city?

Answer 32.
People are expected to move from nearly all social groups.

Question 33.
Is there any consideration for further development after the urban unit houses for 20,000 people?

Answer 33.
So far the target population is for 20,000 inhabitants. No plans for further extensions exist, however, the area itself provides space for a much larger number of inhabitants and jobs.

Question 34.
Can you provide more specific geological data?

Answer 34.
The city does not have specific geological data of the area. The Geological Survey of Finland provides more information, http://en.gtk.fi/Geoinfo/Maps/

Question 35.
If available, can you provide opinions from the current residents about the area as it is today and the future plans?

Answer 35.
Currently there are only a few residents in the area and they all feel positive about the development plans.

Question 36.
What type of industrial businesses could we expect to plan for?

Answer 36.
See the competition programme, chapter 3.3.

Question 37.
How involved can non-EU national persons be in the project?

Question 38.
We, a company from the EU, would like to take part in your competition. May we invite as a consultant and work together with people, for example, from Japan?

Question 39.
Can the competition team include members from outside of the EU if the team leader is an EU citizen?

Answer 37, 38 and 39.
See the competition programme, chapters 1.2 and 6.2. Non-EU national persons can assist in the preparation of the competition entry but not act as an author.

Question 40.
Can you please be so kind and clarify if I am elided to participate in the competition. I have the German nationality but live and work in the USA and co-own an architectural office in NY.

Answer 40.
As the office is registered in a non-European country, you should participate under your name to the competition, and not under your office's name.

Question 41.
Henna Master plan scheme 1.6.2009 includes a marking: MY "Area dominated by agriculture and forestry with special environmental values." What are these special environmental values? Does the area have other valuable nature, culture or scenery values?

Answer 41.
These areas have been corrected in the master plan scheme dated December 23rd. The most southern MY-area is a natural surface water channel (photographs 39 and 40). North of Henna are Siberian Flying Squirrel areas. On the groundwater basin area some Spring Pasque Flowers exist. The area does not have remarkable cultural or scenic values.

Question 42.
I am planning on participating to The Innovative Town Concept for the Future idea competition if I can turn it into part of my diploma for my architect studies. Can I use the competition material for this? Presentation of the diploma is held in a public seminar the latest at 26th of May 2010. Is that possible on behalf of the competition organizer if the results of the competition have not been declared yet?

Answer 42.
Competition material can be used for diploma. Exact judging day of the competition has not been set. Presentation of the diploma at university has to be organized in a way that does not harm the competition secrecy.

Question 43.
I'm an architecture student from Germany and I'm thinking about taking the competition as a topic for my diploma. I have to know when the release of the winners is since the end of my diploma-time is in June and if the release is before, then I probably cannot take it.

Answer 43.
See the competition programme part 2.3.

Question 44.
Explications sur le projet et carences pour ouvrir les fichiers et documents en français sont-ils acceptés?

Are entries in French accepted to the competition?

Answer 44.
The competition and its materials are only in English/Finnish and the required documents from the participants must be in English and/or Finnish.

Question 45.
I plan to participate to the urban planning competition, and I would like to know if I have to register.

Answer 45.
Registration is not required.

Question 46.
Is it possible for Spanish architects to participate in the "The Innovative Town Concept for the Future Ideas Competition"? To be sure that SAFA competition rules have no restrictions or something important for the participants that we have to know and can do that we don't participate with 100% guarantees. It would be nice if you can send us a copy of that document to check it because we cannot find it.

Answer 46.
As the InTo idea competition is open for all EU member countries, your are very welcome to participate in it. The ACE Recommendation for Design Contests following the principles of SAFA competition rules can be found from the website http://safa.fi/fin/kilpailut/tietoa_jarjestajalle/kilpailusaannot_/

Question 47.
Is it possible to have the documentation in English?

Answer 47.
From the link below, you can download the competition material in English.

www.srv.fi/into

Question 48.
Problems with opening up .tif files.

Answer 48.
Perhaps the problem is missing a suitable program to open .tif files. Please try one of these programs:

• Adobe Photoshop
• CoreIDRAW
• IrfanView32
• LView Pro
• Microsoft Digital Imaging Pro