Kontula, Helsinki

Kontula (Swedish: Gårdsbacka) is a quarter of Helsinki, Finland, part of the Mellunkylä neighbourhood. Due to its little higher than average concentration of government tenant housing complexes, immigrant and refugee population it is regarded as an average eastern Helsinki suburb.[1] Kontula has generally been considered one of the most notorious suburbs in East Helsinki largely due to prevailing incidents of violence and drug dealing.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Despite its mixed reputation, it might also be the clue to its attractiveness, because Kontula pops up in many movies, books, and songs.[1]

For other uses, see Kontula (disambiguation).
Kontula

Gårdsbacka
Helsinki Subdivision
Position of Kontula within Helsinki
Country Finland
RegionUusimaa
Sub-regionGreater Helsinki
MunicipalityHelsinki
DistrictEastern
Subdivision regionsnone
Area
2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi)
Population
 (2006)
13,172
Postal codes
00940
Subdivision number471
Neighbouring subdivisionsVesala, Vartioharju, Myllypuro, Kurkimäki, Kivikko, Mellunmäki

Kontula was built mostly in the 1960s and 1970s when more housing was required in Helsinki. Many people from the city centre moved to Kontula.

The metro was expanded to Kontula in 1986, which made the area easy to reach. The Kontula Metro Station is daily used by 20,000 people.

In 2006, the Finnish Local Heritage Foundation picked Kontula as the Borough of the Year in Finland.[1]

Kontulan Ostoskeskus, the mall

Kontula offers services to its inhabitants. There are various grocery stores, banks, pharmacies and over 20 shops and around 20 bars, Kontulan Ostoskeskus (The Shopping Centre or the mall)opened in 1967. The Shopping Centre also includes the health centre, a library, a swimming pool, gym, and a skateboard hall. There are also food production facilities in the area, for example, the famed ice cream house Kolme kaveria ('Three friends').[1]

Mikaelinkirkko (church) in Kontula.

References
  1. Kontula - My Helsinki
  2. Historical Layers and Cultural Intimacy: An Ethnographic Case Study of Kontula
  3. Historical and Spatial Layers of Cultural Intimacy: Urban Transformation ofa Stigmatised Suburban Estate on the Periphery of Helsinki
  4. Pyörätuolissa istunut mies puukotti avuntarjoajaa sydämeen Helsingissä – ”Kontula on pahamaineinen paikka”, tuomittu perusteli kääntöveitsellä varustautumistaan (in Finnish)
  5. Asuinalue esittelyssä: Monikulttuurinen Kontula on palkittu lähiö (in Finnish)
  6. Tour de Kontula (in Finnish)
  7. Pahamaineinen Kontula on muutakin kuin narkkareita ja alkoholisteja – festivaalit lähestyvät (in Finnish)


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