First Biodiversity Index Tracks Tampere Tram Expansion

Tampereen Ratikan Pirkkala-Linnainmaa -allianssi announced the launch of a pioneering biodiversity index for the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tram project, marking the first time such an index is measured in this scale of infrastructure work. The index forms part of a trio of metrics used to monitor sustainable construction, alongside a carbon footprint calculation and the tally of significant environmental deeds, with an initial assessment completed by late 2025.

The alliance says the biodiversity index helps quantify how design choices affect local ecosystems as the tram extension reshapes the street block. Landscape architect Hanna Ylitalo notes that, based on the results, biodiversity has been advanced through planning and design solutions aligned with project goals. The release also highlights concrete actions already taken, including using felled street trees as timber, reusing building stones, planting multi-species tree cover, and installing bee hives on the site, with a commitment to expand urban greenery where possible.

The project’s biodiversity assessment was developed in part through Titta Pönnin’s thesis, which examined drivers of a diverse urban environment and documented biodiversity-monitoring principles. The report emphasizes that biodiversity accounting will be produced at multiple design stages to track changes as the street environment evolves, enabling planners to react before construction moves forward. Future work will add around 1.4 kilometers of dry meadow strips and about 900 street trees across roughly 50 tree species, creating linked green corridors along the tram route.