Jyväskylä 1.1.2009
From 1 January 2009, the City of Jyväskylä, the Rural Municipality of Jyväskylä and the municipality of Korpilahti will merge into one city, Jyväskylä. As a result, the City of Jyväskylä will become the seventh largest city in Finland. International and vibrant growth center
City of Jyväskylä is founded in 1837 and it is situated at the northern end of the scenic lake Päijänne, 270 kilometres north from Helsinki. From 1 January 2009, the City of Jyväskylä, the Rural Municipality of Jyväskylä and the municipality of Korpilahti will merge into one city, Jyväskylä. As a result, the city of Jyväskylä:
- the seventh largest city in Finland with 130 000 residents
- surface area 1171 km2
- water surface area 295 km2
- housing 70 000
- summer cottages 4 000
- city of 47 000 students
There are 48 comprehensive schools, 8 high schools and 15 libraries in the new City of Jyväskylä. The City of Jyväskylä is the biggiest employer in the area totalling of 7 000 employees.
City of international networks
There are approximately 3 000 foreign residents in Jyväskylä from 100 different countries. The Russians, Iranians, Estonians and Afghans make up the largest groups of foreign nationalities.
Jyväskylä is a member of several international networks and has twin cities and cooperation agreements with cities and municipalities in Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Island, Russia, Japan, China, Germany, Poland, and Norway.
Work for the new Jyväskylä
Mr. Markku Andersson is the Mayor of the City of Jyväskylä, Vice Mayors are Mr. Arto Lepistö, Mr. Pekka Utriainen and Mr. Timo Koivisto.
Due the municipal merge the new City Council has 75 members and the new City Board has 15 members.
The city will start drafting a new strategy for the city which is going to be discussed and considered in a City Council seminar in February. The new strategy is going to be launched in October 2009.
