Nekala community evening on 15 April invites residents to shape master plan and meet artists

Residents can help shape local planning, culture and services at a free community evening in Nekala on 15 April 2026. The event runs 17:00–19:00 at Nekala Cultural Centre on Lounaantie 2 and is open to all, the City of Tampere says.

Area coordinator Jarno Koskinen says the evening will outline the upcoming southern-phase master plan — including the future use of the Hatanpää marshalling yard — and explain how residents can take part in each stage of the process. Attendees can tour Nekalab, a nationally unique creative hub opened in March 2026 in the old school. They can meet artists such as Ilkka Väätti and groups like cultural cooperative TIcAS, visit the Nekala library, and try the metal and clay workshops run by the Tampere Region Adult Education Centre.

City officials, including deputy mayors, will answer questions in Finnish and English. Other participants include Pirkanmaa wellbeing area (Pirha), presenting a free service assistant programme; Tampere Art Museum, collecting residents’ memories of public art for a new online platform; TampereMissio; Sorin Sirkus; Legioonateatteri’s Rauhankuoro choir; and singer-songwriter Samae Koskinen, who will close the evening with a concert. The event follows safer-space principles, and juice and buns will be offered to the first 100 visitors.