The Aalto Centre (Finnish: Aalto-keskus) is an urban area milieu in the city of Rovaniemi, in the Finnish Lapland, designed by the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, comprising the city's key administrative and cultural buildings.^[1]

Up to 90% of Rovaniemi's building stock was destroyed during the Lapland War by the retreating German forces, necessitating the rebuilding of the city centre.^[1][2] In January 1945, Rovaniemi commissioned a new urban design from the Finnish Association of Architects rebuilding unit, with the design work headed by Alvar Aalto.^[2]

Aalto's eventual design, approved in 1946, is called Poronsarvikaava lit. 'Reindeer Antler Plan',^[3] and incorporates five arterial roads forming the shape of a reindeer antler.^[4][5] In 1960, when Rovaniemi was granted its city charter, the formal decision was made to implement Aalto's plan.^[5]

At the centre of the design, the complex of Aalto-designed public and administrative buildings is known as 'Aalto Centre'.^[5]

The complex has been designated and protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).^[5]

The Rovaniemi cityscape is one of two urban plans designed by Aalto which were eventually completed; the other being that in Seinäjoki.

Notable Aalto-designed buildings in the centre include:

• Lappia Hall performing arts and conference venue (completed in stages, 1961-1975)^[6]
• Central library (1965)^[7]
• City hall (1986)^[8]

The park surrounding the Aalto Centre also forms an integral part of the milieu.^[9]

• Alajärvi administrative centre
• Aalto Centre, Seinäjoki