Hakunila

Hakunila (Håkansböle in Swedish), is a town located within eastern Vantaa, a city in southern Finland bordering Helsinki. It has a population of 10,936, and a population density of 3,645/km². To the west, it is bordered by Lahdenväylä, a constituent of European Route E75, to the south, it is bordered by the Kehä III ring road, to the east by the towns of Ojanko and Sotunki, and to the north by the town of Itä-Hakkila. Most of the centre of Hakunila was built during the 1970's, and consists of high-rise residential tower blocks, interwoven with plenty of small alleyways and, in the winter, ample ski paths. Within Hakunila, there is a modern school, church and library.

History

Hakunila is a Finnish translation of the Swedish name "Håkansböle", the original village that stood in the same location. During the 1600's, two distinct villages were formed in the area around Hakunila; Håkansböle and Nissbacka. The name of the village, Håkansböle, derives from the name of the original founder of the village, Håkan Jönsson, who lived in the area in the 1500's.

Amenities

At the centre of the town, there is a small shopping centre, known as 'Ostoskeskus' containing a Supermarket and a Pharmacy, amongst other amenities such as restaurants and bars. Next to the centre is a library and a school, which form a single building. In the surrounding area there is also another school, a stables and a popular swimming pool. The swimming pool regularly closes in the summer and duties are transferred to the larger swimming pool in nearby Tikkurila. Most of the building in the area are tower blocks and flats, with some terraced and semi detached houses being found in the outskirts of the town. There are also numerous, and quite famous, ski runs which are used during the winter.

Transport

Hakunila is connected to the rest of Vantaa and the metropolitan area of Helsinki by the YTV bus network, with the nearest commuter rail stop being in Tikkurila, and the nearest metro station being in Mellunmäki. The following buses operate in and around Hakunila;

*730- Helsinki- Päiväkumpu - Leppäkorpi/North Nikinmäki
*741- Helsinki - Kuninkaanmäki
*742- Helsinki - Korso
*61- Mellunmäki metro station - Tikkurila - Helsinki-Vantaa Airport