The municipalities in Kouvola region, Anjalankoski, Elimäki, Jaala, Kouvola, Kuusankoski and Valkeala, will merge to form the new town of Kouvola on 1 January 2009.
The new Kouvola will be the 10. biggest town in Finland and the biggest in the Province of Kymenlaakso.The town of Kouvola is located 130 km east from Helsinki and 290 km west from St. Petersburg.
Read more about the subject:
Project to restructure local government and services in Finland
Achieving more together
The local government and services structure reform, which aims to reshape Finnish municipalities and municipal services, is the response to challenges brought about by globalisation and an ageing population.
By combining their forces, the municipalities in Kouvola region strives for a positive demographic development in the area and ensure the availability and high standard of services also in the future. The new town of Kouvola will be more than the sum of its parts. In line with the objectives of the national PARAS project to reform local government and service structures, the current six municipalities in Kouvola region will be revitalized by merging into one.
Objectives of the merger:
• increasing the competitiveness, attractiveness and significance of the area
• safeguarding services and improving the residents' living conditions
• diversifying the industrial structure
• balancing the municipal finances
• developing the administrative structures
• enhancing democratic decision-making.
Near to everything
The urban region of Kouvola is located in Southeast Finland, in the northern part of the Province of Kymenlaakso.
Good traffic connections make the region highly accessible, and both the Helsinki metropolitan area and St Petersburg in Russia are within an easy reach. Logistically, Kouvola is a central hub of road and rail transports. The improving connections are making the region increasingly interesting both as a residential area and business base.
Look to the future
The new Kouvola will be a versatile town of some 90,000 inhabitants with good services and a competitive environment for both residents and enterprises.
This town takes a bold look to the future and is an attractive place to live. The good services of the town, the peace of the countryside and many recreational facilities can offer alternatives for both housing and leisure.
For residents and businesses, the new Kouvola will offer:
• inexpensive living
• a versatile selection of building plots
• short distances – no congestion
• good logistic benefits and connections
• a progressive operating environment for businesses
Facts about the new Kouvola
Residents approx. 90,000
Population density 35.5 inhabitants/km²
Surface 2,871 km²
- land areas 2,543 km²
- water areas 328 km²
Municipal tax rate 19% (2008)
Employment structure
- primary production 1 %
- processing 21 %
- services 72 %
- others 6 %
Number of enterprises 5,100
Farms 1,250
Lakes 450
Summer houses 7,150
Main tourist attractions
- Tykkimäki Amusement Park
- Repovesi National Park
- Verla Mill Museum
- Golf courses
National level sports clubs
- Mypa, Kouvot, Kookoo, KPL
Contact information
The City of Kouvola
P.O. Box 85 (Torikatu 10)
FI-45101 Kouvola
tel +358 (0) 20 61 511
fax +358 (0) 20 615 3054
e-mail: info[at]kouvola.fi
firstname.lastname@kouvola.fi
Town Hall, 1st floor, Door A
Address: Torikatu 10, 45100 Kouvola
tel. +358 (0) 2061 55 295
fax. + 358 (0) 2061 53 048
e-mail: tourism(at)innokouvola.fi
www.visitkouvola.fi
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