Survey: Satisfaction with Municipal Infrastructure Services Improves in Rauma, with Steady Progress in Street Maintenance
News
In Rauma, residents gave higher ratings particularly to the condition, cleanliness and winter maintenance of streets, but the survey also identified areas for further improvement.
Residents of Rauma are increasingly satisfied with municipal infrastructure services. The Municipal Infrastructure Services 2026 survey, conducted by FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy, assessed services including the maintenance of streets and pedestrian and bicycle paths, parks, waste services, water services and customer service provided by the Technical Division.
Ratings for streets and pedestrian and bicycle paths improved
Rauma ranked fourth among 31 municipalities in the overall maintenance of streets and other traffic areas. Rauma also ranked among the leading municipalities for winter maintenance, placing ninth in the comparison.
Rauma’s overall rating for the maintenance of streets and other traffic areas has improved in three consecutive surveys. The rating was 3.19 in 2022, increased to 3.43 in 2024 and rose further to 3.79 in 2026.
The greatest individual improvement was seen in the condition of pedestrian and bicycle paths. A total of 74 percent of respondents rated their condition as good, placing Rauma among the top three municipalities in the comparison. The condition of main streets and residential streets also received higher ratings than before.
A total of 90 percent of respondents were satisfied with the cleanliness and overall appearance of streets in the city center. Rauma ranked among the top municipalities in this category, alongside Lieto and Kauniainen.
However, respondents identified pavement maintenance as the most important area for investment concerning streets. It was selected by 28 percent of respondents. Winter maintenance of pedestrian and bicycle paths and streets was also identified as an area for improvement.
“It is great to see that the progress made in street maintenance and the condition of pedestrian and bicycle paths is clearly reflected in residents’ experiences. At the same time, the feedback shows us where further improvements are still needed,” says Deputy Director Jaakko Aerila, Technical Division.
Waste collection and city center parks received the highest ratings
Among individual services, the functionality of organized waste collection received the highest rating, at 4.49. City center parks and street lighting also received high ratings.
A total of 90 percent of respondents were satisfied with the maintenance of city center parks. Rauma ranked seventh in the municipal comparison based on the overall measure of park maintenance.
For parks, respondents most frequently called for investment in benches and seating. Cleanliness and upkeep were considered the most important factors contributing to a pleasant park environment. Children’s playgrounds, vegetation and lighting were also seen as important areas for improvement.
Management of nearby forests and water quality need improvement
The management of forests near residential areas received the lowest rating, at 3.25. The location of hazardous waste collection points was also among the lowest-rated services in the survey.
The quality of drinking water supplied by the municipal water utility received a rating of 3.81. On the broader measure of water quality, Rauma ranked 27th in the municipal comparison. Water supply reliability, however, received a very high rating of 4.61.
“The positive rating for water supply reliability is important feedback for us. We will examine the water quality results in greater detail and determine which factors affect customers’ experiences. Based on this, we will assess what measures need to be taken,” says Meritta Rosnell, Water Services Manager at Rauman Vesi.
Staff reachability ranked highest among the municipalities
Of respondents who had contacted the Technical Division, 62 percent were satisfied with staff reachability, placing Rauma first in the municipal comparison. A total of 60 percent were satisfied with opening hours, which was the second-best result in the comparison.
However, ratings declined in other areas of customer service. Satisfaction with staff conduct decreased by 11 percentage points, satisfaction with staff expertise by 10 percentage points and satisfaction with the clarity of the language used by seven percentage points. The customer service questions were answered by 50 people who had contacted the Technical Division.
Overall, Rauma ranked among the top 11 municipalities in the customer service comparison. Rauma ranked third for the clarity of its communications.
“Staff reachability in customer service has developed in a positive direction, but the feedback also highlights clear areas for improvement. We will pay particular attention to knowledgeable and positive interactions with customers and to ensuring clear communication,” says Technical Division’s Director Hannu Seppälä.
Rauma will use the results to develop its services
The Municipal Infrastructure Services 2026 survey, conducted by FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy, included 31 municipalities. In Rauma, the survey was sent to 1,000 randomly selected residents aged 18–79. A total of 126 Rauma residents responded, resulting in a response rate of 13 percent. The results were primarily assessed on a scale of 1 to 5, with 3 representing a neutral rating.
Rauma’s results are compared with the 2024 survey, as the survey is conducted in Rauma every two years. Overall, the majority of the services assessed received higher ratings than in the previous survey.
The survey provides the City with valuable information about what works well in the everyday lives of Rauma residents and where there is still room for improvement. The results will be used to develop services and the living environment. This supports the Retaining Rauma goal of making everyday life run smoothly by developing services based on knowledge and listening to residents’ experiences.
