Tampere to Turn Half of Härmälä Campsite into Housing

The city of Tampere has unveiled a zoning proposal that would convert roughly half of the Härmälä campsite near the city centre into residential blocks and open more of the Pyhäjärvi shoreline as public recreational space, YLE reports.

Under the draft, campsite capacity would fall from about 90 powered caravan pitches, 90 cottages and a large tent field to roughly 70 caravan places, 25 cottages and a smaller tent area. The city says the site will remain in Härmälä rather than being relocated, and it is seeking more housing along the future tramway route linking Pirkkala’s Partola to Sorin aukio from 2028. The proposed new residential blocks would house about 450 residents and include a parking garage.

The lakeside sauna and pier proposals come after recent waterfront upgrades, including the opening of a new sandy beach and the reservation of a site for a year‑round public sauna at Härmälänranta recent waterfront improvements.

Operator Suomi Camping and the Finnish Camping Association warn a smaller footprint would make profitable campsite tourism difficult. They say current capacity already struggles to meet summer peaks. "It's a big change when the current powered caravan spots aren't enough on a typical summer day," campsite manager Ilona Aurio says, and the company asks where displaced visitors would go.

A local meeting in Härmälä is scheduled for 16 September.