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Title of the thesis: Ambivalence, dialogue, representation – Polyphonic approach to urban planning

Thesis defender: Eveliina Harsia-Mikkola 
Opponent: University Lecturer Antti Wallin, Tampere University, Finland 
Custos: Professor Marketta Kyttä, Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment

What does polyphony mean in urban planning, and what kinds of practices are needed to realize it?

Throughout the 2000s, Finland has had ambitious legislation requiring participatory urban planning. Yet participants often feel they have little influence on planning outcomes. This dissertation explores that tension through the concept of polyphony.


Polyphony refers to a mode of representation in which different, even conflicting, voices and perspectives are simultaneously present and in interaction, while remaining distinct. They are not merged into a single view; instead, ambivalence and tensions are kept visible. Authorship is shared: the narrative is constructed through the encounter of parallel voices, not governed by a single one. Polyphony is a central concept and principle of democratic culture – a promise of genuine dialogue in which everyone takes part in the narratives that society tells about itself and its future, both as an actor and as an author. The study asks what polyphony means for urban planning, what kinds of practices are needed to realize it, and what consequences it carries for democratic culture.


Three case studies examine how residents’ experiences and perspectives are conveyed – or omitted – in planning. In Nikkilä (Sipoo), the case concerned valuing cultural environments; in Kontula (Helsinki), the participation of immigrant entrepreneurs through local activism; and in Viiskorpi (Espoo), the construction of a dialogical process through multi-method participation.


The results show that polyphony is not only a theoretical ideal but also a practical tool for identifying blind spots in planning and for examining how agency, representation, and dialogue are constructed. It reveals why participation often remains superficial, while at the same time opening opportunities for a more democratic planning culture.

Keywords: polyphony, ambivalence, dialogue, representation, urban planning, planning practices, public participation, democratic culture 

Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at . 

Contact information: eveliina.harsia@aalto.fi;