[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.

[2] Aalto's eventual design, approved in 1946, is called Poronsarvikaava lit.

[4][5] In 1960, when Rovaniemi was granted its city charter, the formal decision was made to implement Aalto's plan.

[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.