In Helsinki's inner city, a comprehensive effort towards architectural preservation is underway as the city plans to update zoning plans for eleven major areas in the coming years. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the quantity of protected buildings, with a potential increase of more than a thousand structures that are considered worth protecting. According to Sinikka Lahti, head of urban planning for the inner city, most of the buildings in these neighborhoods deserve preservation due to their historical and architectural significance.

The zoning revisions aim to incorporate not only new buildings under protection but also to address issues related to outdated zoning regulations, some dating back to the 1800s. The first area to undergo this reassessment was Kamppi, where an extensive review led to an increase in protected buildings from 125 to 255 out of 330 structures in the area, effectively doubling the number of designated protections. The new conservation focus emphasizes buildings constructed between the beginning of the 20th century and the 1950s, which are often overlooked.

Moreover, this preservation approach includes modernist concrete structures that emerged during the last century, reflecting a broader acceptance of diverse architectural styles within Helsinki's heritage conservation efforts. The city officials are advocating for an expanded understanding of what constitutes architectural value, acknowledging that even brutalist designs can possess historical significance, hence promoting a richer narrative about the city’s architectural evolution.