Data and Knowledge Base for Planning Kuusamo’s Service Network

MDI carried out an evidence-building project for the City of Kuusamo to support the planning of its service network. The aim of the work was to form an overall picture of the current state of the service network and its future alternatives, and to assess the impacts of different future scenarios on the organisation of the city’s services, regional development, and vitality.

The work drew on the City of Kuusamo’s own data, previous studies, statistical databases, and qualitative data collection. The project consisted of the following phases: building an evidence base by school catchment area, examining future scenarios for service provision, assessing economic impacts, evaluating broader impacts, and reporting and presenting the results.

The analysis focused in particular on population development, migration, housing, job development, the use of education services, capacity, accessibility, and staffing needs. The work was complemented by interviews, which were used to deepen the quantitative evidence base and support the assessment of the different alternatives. The end result was a comprehensive impact assessment and evidence base to support the preparation of Kuusamo’s future service network. The results were presented to the city’s decision-makers in April 2026.