Kerava withdraws from housing fair agreement, launches New Age Construction Festival instead

This summer, no housing fairs will take place in Finland, including the traditional summer event initially planned for Kerava. In December 2022, the city decided to withdraw from its agreement with the Finnish housing fair organizers, citing the rising risks in construction and the impact of the Ukraine war on prices. Instead, Kerava will host its own event called the New Age Construction Festival (URF), which commenced today in the Kivisilta area.

Project manager Pia Lohikoski explained that the festival will allow visitors to observe the construction process, rather than just completed projects. This year, Kerava is celebrating its centenary, and the decor will reflect themes of recycling and history, showcasing both vintage furniture from local manufacturers and new products. The city aims to attract about 2,000 daily visitors to the 11-day event, significantly smaller than last year’s housing fair in Loviisa, which drew over 106,000 attendees.

Set to run from July 26 to August 7, 2024, URF will focus on sustainable construction and lifestyle, featuring a diverse program of talks, architectural showcases, art, music, and local food. Entry is free during the day, while evening concerts on Fridays and Saturdays will charge admission.

The Kivisilta area, which includes the historically significant Kerava Manor, will see plans for approximately 460 new homes and around 26,000 square meters of residential space, accommodating an estimated population of about 950 residents in the coming years. Lohikoski projects that the residential area development will be completed in a few years.