Kontula, Helsinki
Kontula (Swedish: Gårdsbacka) is a quarter of Helsinki, Finland, part of the Mellunkylä neighbourhood. Kontula was built mostly in the 1960s and 1970s when more housing was required in Helsinki. Many people from the city centre moved to Kontula; due to its little higher than average concentration of government tenant housing complexes, immigrant and refugee population it is regarded as an average eastern Helsinki suburb.
Kontula
Gårdsbacka | |
|---|---|
Helsinki Subdivision | |
Position of Kontula within Helsinki | |
| Country | Finland |
| Region | Uusimaa |
| Sub-region | Greater Helsinki |
| Municipality | Helsinki |
| District | Eastern |
| Subdivision regions | none |
| Area | 2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | 13,172 |
| Postal codes | 00940 |
| Subdivision number | 471 |
| Neighbouring subdivisions | Vesala, Vartioharju, Myllypuro, Kurkimäki, Kivikko, Mellunmäki |
Kontula has generally been considered one of the most notorious suburbs in East Helsinki largely due to prevailing incidents of violence and drug dealing, the latter of which local youths actively run a drug trade near the shopping area and the metro station. Despite its mixed reputation, it might also be the clue to its attractiveness, because Kontula pops up in many movies, books, and songs.
The metro was expanded to Kontula in 1986, which made the area easy to reach. The Kontula Metro Station is daily used by 20,000 people.
In 2006, the Finnish Local Heritage Foundation picked Kontula as the Borough of the Year in Finland.