Reserve between Soikkokatu, Tiinukatu and Kattiakatu, Korkinmäki, Tampere, Finland

Seems fairly clear to me that this space is some kind of drainage reserve. Anyway, to start off with if you approach it from Korkinmaënkatu (particularly if you're like me and your eyes aren't great and the map therefore isn't incredibly clear) you think it's actually not an IR but an unbuilt block. But no. There is a space between this road and Soikkokatu which is just open space - at the moment, anyway. 

 You have to go behind Soikkokatu and there in Tiinukatu is a pathway into the space. 

This is what suggests to me that the space is largely drainage-oriented. Though as you can see, it's well-maintained and obviously serves an aesthetic function.

Strikes me that houses like this with enormous rear windows are taking advantage of the view (most of the houses around the reserve don't have such huge windows though).

In terms of 'air space' the reserve covers about as much area again, I bet these lot owners can't actually build in their back gardens.