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Oulu & Helsinki Urbanism Master Classes

Welcome to Oulu and Helsinki for a four-day event that reveals the secrets of the winter cycling capital of the world, Oulu and the capital of Finland, Helsinki. Winter edition 2027 will be held 8-12 February 2027.

The foundation for the Oulu success story lies in winter proof planning of the cycling network. Oulu region is also one of the forerunners of in-city single track MTB-network design. Learn how to make Oulu happen in your city! We know that it is crucial to see and experience the design requirements during the both the snowy and snowless seasons. With winterproof design the actual winter is easier (and a lot cheaper!) to cope with.

Oulu Urbanism Master Class is hosted by the city of Oulu and Navico Ltd. experts Harri Vaarala, Pekka Tahkola and Timo Perälä.

Book the best educational trip of the year now and join us in Oulu, Finland!

DATES FOR OULU & HELSINKI URBANISM MASTER CLASS

  • 8-12 February 2027.

PRICE:

  • 1950 € (+VAT 25,5 % when applicable + possible fees if paid by credit card) / person, including 4-day program, bike rental (e-bikes available) and lunches for three days. Travels and accommodation are not included.
  • Discounts available for groups, please contact us

Max. of 15 places available. Oulu Urbanism Master Class is targeted for all city planners, politicians, decision makers and for anyone interested about creating active winter cities.

A Master Class Day in Helsinki

  • Hosted by our friends at the Finnish Cycling Embassy
  • Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, has set the goal to become the most functional city in the world. All modes of transport will have their appropriate place in this ecosystem
  • Last year Helsinki was named the number one city in the world for urban transport (Amsterdam was #2).

ADDITIONAL OPTION: Wellness day in Oulu

  • Pre-event, 6th or 7th February 2027 (min. 5 registrations to happen) including:
    • Smart Pro -test set (1,5 hours + feedback + 12 week training program) at SportTest lab. in Oulu (watch a video of the content of the test event)
    • Introduction to Oulu MTB network, 4h MTB trip in Oulu + meal. E-bikes available.
    • Guide: Pekka Tahkola
    • Price 590 €/person + VAT 25,5% when applicable

PROGRAM OF OULU & HELSINKI URBANISM MASTER CLASS, WINTER EDITION 2027​

Sunday 7th of February 2027 – Oulu

  • 7:00 pm Unofficial get-together at a local restaurant / pub in the city center. TBA.

Monday 8th of February 2027 – Oulu

  • 8:30 am: Registration and morning coffee @ Solistinkatu 2, 90140 Oulu
  • 9:00 am – 11:30 am: lectures by Harri Vaarala & Pekka Tahkola
    • Oulu’s Cycling Legacy: Major milestones and turning points
    • The Cycling Superhighway (Baana) Network: History, layout, and network design
    • Beyond the Asphalt: Origins, growth, and integration of the regional singletrack network
  • Getting bikes (e-bikes available) and a lunch in downtown
  • 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: In the Field: Winter Maintenance Tour & Crew Exchange. Note: While cycling study tours take place every day, this live operational showcase and meeting the crew will be scheduled dynamically whichever day provides optimal winter weather conditions.
  • 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm: Tour to sauna boat on Oulu river (2 hours, bring your swimming suit)

Tuesday 9th of February 2027 – Oulu

  • 8:30 am: Morning coffee @ Solistinkatu 2
  • 9:00 am: lectures by Harri Vaarala, Timo Perälä & Pekka Tahkola
    • Planning the Winter-Proof City: Principles for attractive cold-climate urbanism
    • Key Elements for Year-Round Cycling: Core infrastructure and network design
    • Designing for the Maintenance: Our approach to maintenance, and planning for winter
    • Winter Maintenance by Design: Bridging planning and operations
    • The Oulu Super Class Maintenance Contract: History, structure, and execution          
  • 11:30 am – 5:00 pm: Oulu Bike tour, lunch & coffee break stops, local sightseeing around the city of Oulu
  • 5:00 pm: End of tour, returning bikes to Solistinkatu

Wednesday 10th of February 2027 – Oulu

  • 8:30 am: Morning coffee @ Solistinkatu 2
  • 9:00 am: lectures by Harri Vaarala, Timo Perälä & Pekka Tahkola
    • Bringing Oulu Home: How to translate winter success to your local context
    • Messaging & Internal Buy-In: Winning over staff, stakeholders, and citizens
    • Reframing the Winter Narrative: Shifting political, cultural, and public mindsets
    • Overcoming Institutional Resistance: Driving organizational change
  • 11:30 am – 5:30 pm: Oulu Bike tour, lunch & coffee break stops, local sightseeing around the city of Oulu
  • 5:30 pm: End of tour, returning bikes to Solistinkatu 2
  • Time to travel to Helsinki. There are regular and overnight trains available. Example departures at 6:08 pm, 8:55 pm and 11:53 pm. Bookings: www.vr.fi

Thursday 11th of February 2027 – Helsinki

  • 8.30 – 11.00 Lectures:

    • Helsinki’s goal of becoming the World’s most functional city

    • Applying best practices in Helsinki cycling planning and investment

    • Use of NGO’s tools to embrace cycling investment

    • Translating strategy to action

    • Return on cycling investment

    • Biking walking and transit in Helsinki region

    • Winter cycling in Helsinki

  • 11.00 – 12.15 Lunch

  • 12.15 – 16.00 Bicycling study tour of Helsinki cycling facilities

REGISTRATION DEADLINE 15th OF JANUARY 2027

There are still a couple of places left. Please be quick if you want to register for February 2027 Master Class!

Oulu, Finland, provides the best winter maintenance service level in the world for cyclists.  The city wants to engourage citizens of all ages and abilities to bike and walk year-round. How the best became even better? This Master Class reveals the secrets behind the Oulu success story. How to make it happen in your city? Learn from the best and secure your place in Oulu & Helsinki Urbanism Master Class!

REGISTER HERE!