Tommi Laitio
BLOOMBERG PUBLIC INNOVATION FELLOW
2022 – 2024
Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation
at Johns Hopkins University
Tommi Laitio was the inaugural Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow at the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University from 2022-2024. The fellowship supports exceptional public-sector leaders in sharing their practices and developing new insights for the field of public innovation. Before the fellowship, Laitio acted as the first executive director for culture and leisure for the City of Helsinki, overseeing arts and culture, sports, youth work, and the public library for Finland’s capital. Laitio holds an MA in political science from the University of Helsinki and an executive MBA from Aalto University. As an independent consultant, Laitio advises libraries, museums, cities, and foundations in North America and Europe to find solutions for urban friction, partnerships, and public engagement.
The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University works to advance public sector innovation across the globe by marrying cutting-edge practice with world-class research to transform the culture of government, deliver exceptional results for residents, and inspire trust in public service. Since its launch in 2021 in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Johns Hopkins University, the Center has brought research, technical assistance, and training programs in proven approaches for impact to 214 global cities, improving the lives of millions of people around the world.
On the BCPI Blog
Innovation Conversations: How Shared Management in Public Spaces Promotes Equity
A Public Sector Innovation First at Johns Hopkins – New Course Shines a Light on Innovation for Baltimore-based Students
Learning Grounds for Conviviality
The Sense of the City
Listen & Watch
June 21, 2023
“From a Nobody to a Somebody: How Do You Create Truly Equitable Cities?”
Creative Bureaucracy Festival
Berlin, Germany
September 20, 2023
“A Place-based Approach to Creating Vibrant Downtowns”
Placemakers 14
Calgary, Canada
Recent Features
We Don’t Need Superhumans in Libraries (Finnish)
Finland Library Magazine | October 11, 2023
The library helps people understand who they are and how to get along with others but its role is not to tell people what to think, says Tommi Laitio.
Helsinki Executive Director Tommi Laitio Grew into a Man Who Did Not Fit Into the Role of a Boy Scout (Finnish)
Yle | July 8, 2023
Tommi Laitio realized at a young age that there were two sides to his world.
From Nobody to Somebody: Four Engagement Practices for Equitable Cities
Creative Bureaucracy | June 22, 2023
Feeling like a somebody is having a story of yourself that is different from others and having the capabilities to live that story out. Our stories are conditioned by the institutions and environments around us. Exchange with others helps us understand our story better.
We Need Institutions to Be Free
Medium | June 12, 2023
The government cannot and should not predict and dictate everything that happens in a city. However, societies need to build capacities for people, businesses, and civil society in a sufficiently predictable and reliable manner.
What Makes a City Solidary? (Podcast)
SALTO European Solidarity Corps | December 21, 2022
What does a solidary city look like? Which services, places and spaces make citizens feel at home?
On Universal Access to Life-Supporting Systems
RISE Cities | December 7, 2022
To make a city work, people must feel seen as complete persons and have many relationships and experiences across racial and class lines. The relational dimension is vital in designing public spaces and services.
Libraries Can Unite a Lonely, Divided Nation
Bloomberg | October 26, 2022
The time has come for a “Great Reknitting” across America. The country’s most egalitarian institutions — its public libraries — are a crucial place to start.
4 Lessons on Listening to Residents
Bloomberg Cities Network | February 9, 2022
Building understanding and trust first, rather than jumping straight to solutions, opens up room for more people to get involved, builds equity, and leads to better results.
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