Carabid abundance, species richness and diversity were compared along an urban-rural gradient in Helsinki, Finland. Increased urbanization was found to result in significant reductions in species richness, though the reductions in abundance and diversity were not statistically significant. Forest habitat-specialist species were scarce in rural sites and virtually absent from urban and suburban sites. There was no evidence of higher diversity at intermediate disturbance levels (suburban sites), as predicted by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Species with flight ability and the ability to utilize open habitat were more predominant in urban and suburban sites. Flightless species were more predominant in rural and suburban sites. Carabid abundance data were sufficient to reveal the negative impact of urbanization, so similar studies could be conducted in regions where carabid taxonomy is poorly known. Species composition patterns do, however, provide invaluable information. To conclude, if biodiversity is to be maintained in urban areas, priority must be given to the provision of those habitat features which are essential for sensitive species, such as decaying wood and wet microhabitats. These must be incorporated into urban green networks in particular, if biodiversity and species other than common generalists are to benefit from them.