The artificial decision to found Helsinki did not work out well at all in the beginning. It was only later that the desired result was achieved. Unlike the situation in countries like the USA, Germany and the Netherlands, where the situation is quite different, this is where political and economic decision-making is concentrated. From the points of view of both Helsinki and Finland, this is a clear advantage. It is in concentration like this that a small country's strength lies, as has been realised after various attempts at decentralisation.
History is clearly visible in Helsinki's expression.
The streets were built straight and wide by command of the ruler, wider than in Stockholm for example. Many old cities were built more or less randomly, their streets winding between buildings dating from many different periods. The Senate Square is the best example of what he wanted. The site contained a church, a cemetery, shops, schools, a town hall, some marshland and rocky hills. When the Czar commanded that a big square be built there, the hills were quarried away, the marsh was drained and the houses demolished.