The objective of the competition was to generate ideas for the public spaces and residential blocks within a competition area located in the Helsinki district of Kallio, Hakaniemi and Siltavuorensalmi, for the further development of the detailed plan. In the planning of the waterfront area, Hakaniemi’s central location as a public transport hub as well as the significant historical layeredness of the area were factors to be taken into consideration. The competitors were also asked to create for the area a new, uniquely attractive and urban shoreline accessible to everyone.