3. Green urban areas incorporating Sustainable Land Use

3A. Present Situation

Please complete the following table providing the most recent data that is available:

Land use within the city (this will provide important background information on the character of the city and is not an evaluation criterion itself) Inner City Overall City Unit Year of data provided

Public Green Area 8,7 24,6

Private Green Area* 19 28,3

Blue 0,1 7,3

Residential 25,5 23,2

Industrial/economic 0 8,9 2014 % Mixed 31,7 3,3

Brownfield 7,4 2,2

Other 7,6 2,2

Total 100 100 Year of data Inner city Overall city Unit provided Percentage of people living within 300 m of green urban 68,1 81,1 % 2014 areas >= 5000 m2 Percentage of people living within 300m of green urban 79,9 87,3 % 2014 areas of any size in inner city *Private green area includes mostly private gardens, that are not accessible to wider public, and other privately owned areas covered with vegetation.

Describe the present situation in relation to green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use, including any relevant disadvantages or constraints resulting from historical, geographical and/or socio- economic factors which may have influenced this indicator area.

Include information on the indicators mentioned below for both the inner city area and the overall city area:

1. New developments: relative proportion of greenfields, natural and semi-natural areas, and brownfield sites, where the construction of new buildings and/or commercial and industrial areas has taken place in the last 10 years; 2. Evaluation of the densification in the inner-city or urban cores; 3. Population density (inhabitants per hectare) in built-up areas (city area minus green and blue areas); 4. Population density (inhabitants per hectare) for new developments; 5. Quality of green and blue areas; 6. Investments in green infrastructures (e.g. sustainable urban drainage, green rooftops, vertical gardens, high-quality business parks and public spaces, biodiversity-rich communal gardens, green belts and metropolitan park systems); 7. Use of permeable or semi-permeable materials and surface areas covered by them.

Maps: Provide a land use map that indicates 1. The municipality boundaries delineating the overall city area and 2. The inner city area.

Provide the percentage of green and blue areas (public and private) and soil sealing in relation to 1) the overall city area and 2) the inner city area in the table above including trends over the past five to ten years.

Provide additional maps showing city parks, the scale of green and blue areas in the city and their connectivity and coherence.

Provide maps of the location of brownfield sites that have been regenerated in the past 10 years.

(max 1100 words & 5 graphics, images or tables) plus requested maps

Spatial development and land use in in recent decades has been strongly influenced by the national land and ownership reform carried out by the state at the beginning of the 1990s. The need for this was caused by the nationalisation of land and redistribution of property by the Soviet power in the 1940s. At the beginning of the 1990s, the land was returned to the former owners or privatised and Estonian local authorities, including Tallinn, generally only gained ownership of the land under the existing social infrastructure and street network, and city parks. Unlike other European cities, Tallinn owns very little land intended for other purposes, which is why the spatial development of the city can only be directed with planning methods. Tallinn has a very rich landscape and biota where plants and animals that have become rare elsewhere in Europe can be encountered. The biological diversity of Tallinn is based on its location on the coast of the Baltic Sea, the diversity of landscapes (cliffs, coast, dunes, forests, alvars, meadows, bogs, wetlands) and the mosaic nature of habitats this has created. Many large ecologically functioning green urban areas have preserved in Tallinn, which serve as migration corridors for various species (birds, bats, pollinators). Tallinn has 485 protected natural sites and objects on 2200 hectares, which comprises 13.8% of the territory of Tallinn. Tallinn is made special by Lake Ülemiste (area: 9.8 km2), which is the city’s water intake and therefore not a publicly used body of water, and the island of (area: 3 km2), which is a landscape protection area rich in forest, bogs, dunes and various types of beaches. The important green urban areas of Tallinn are the parks in the historical bastion zone around the Old Town, the baroque Park started by tzar Peter I in 1718, Tallinn Botanical Gardens, Tallinn Zoo and Open Air Museum (Figure 1). The Old Town of Tallinn and the surrounding parks have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.

Figure 1. Green areas of nationwide importance are located in Tallinn – parks in the bastion zone (1), the (2), Tallinn Botanical Gardens (3) and Kadriorg Palace and its park (4)

The population of Tallinn as at 1 October 2015 was 438,569. Over a period of 10 years, the population density in Tallinn has increased from 24.7 residents per hectare (2005) to 27 residents per hectare (2015). The population density in the city centre has increased from 48.3 people to 57.2 people per hectare. The population of Tallinn has increased by ca 25%, i.e. more than 13,000 residents over the last 10 years. At the same time, all of the green urban areas in the city centre have been preserved and the accessibility of such areas is very good. The city centre has become more comfortable and safe for all residents of Tallinn, because the space has been streamlined and densified, and it has become more crowded. The new developments in the last 10 years cover ca 3% of the city’s territory, and 70% of them have taken place via the densification of the city (filling housing gaps, splitting plots of land; Figure 2). Many commercial and industrial buildings were abandoned after independence was regained, but over the last 10 years most of the new developments in Tallinn have taken place in these areas. The average population density in the new developments is 100 people per hectare, but in the city centre this indicator is 200 people per hectare. The population density in the new residential areas in the suburbs is 25 people per hectare, which makes it possible to maintain the valuable trees in the region.

Figure 2. Examples of new developments in Tallinn

Residential and mixed-use areas dominate land use in Tallinn (Map 1). Brownfields, many of which have been given a new use and identity in recent years, cover 2.2% of Tallinn (Figure 3 and Map 2).

Figure 3. Former brownfields now have commercial and residential functions – Ülemiste City (2-4) has been built on the land of the former military factory Dvigatel (1) close to the airport and the industrial Rotermann quarter (5) in the city centre has become a business and living area (6-8) www.ulemistecity.ee, www.rotermann.eu)

Map 1. Purposes of land use in Tallinn

Map 2. Developments in brownfields The share of water-permeable surfaces is 63% and ca 71% with the inclusion of bodies of water (blue areas) (Map 3). 9% of the territory of Tallinn is covered with buildings, while other paved surfaces (mostly car parks, streets) cover 19%. In the city centre, however, paved surfaces cover 65.3% (Map 4).

Map 3. Water-permeable and paved surfaces in Tallinn

Map 4. Water-permeable and paved surfaces in central Tallinn Tallinn Greenery Development Plan was established in 2005 to streamline the development of green urban areas in the city, which increased the functionality and aestheticism of the green urban areas significantly. 21 parks over 157.45 hectares were reconstructed in ca 10 years, which comprises 49.2% of the total area of parks. A new development document –Tallinn Greenery Action Plan for 2013-2025 – was established in 2013. 81.1% of the residents of Tallinn and 68.1% of the residents of the city centre live within 300 metres of the nearest green urban area larger than 5000 m2 (Map 5). When smaller green urban areas are also taken into account, the percentages are 87.3% and 79.9%, respectively.

Map 5. Accessibility of green urban areas in Tallinn

Since 2003, Tallinn City Government has commissioned an annual survey of the satisfaction with the city amongst Tallinn residents. Whilst 69% of residents were satisfied with their living environment in 2006, the share of satisfied citizens had increased to 89% by 2013 (Faktum & Ariko, 2006; Eesti Uuringukeskus, 2013). 80% of respondents in 2006 and 94% in 2013 were satisfied with the status of green urban areas and parks. The quality of green urban areas is demonstrated by their functionality, and the possibility to play is an important part of this. Systematic maintenance and reconstruction of playgrounds started in 2007 (Table 1). The number of playgrounds built in the Soviet era has decreased, but the safety, quality and functionality of the attractions has improved. Nine family playgrounds have been established and all playgrounds have been added to the online map. The development of playgrounds is regulated by the Public Playground Development Action Plan in Tallinn 2011-2016. An information system based on the needs of Tallinn has been implemented for the improvement of maintenance, as this helps to carry our repairs quickly and efficiently. In 2012 Tallinn City Government adopted the regulation (Requirements for Establishment of Dog- walking Grounds and Swimming Spots) in order to guarantee high-quality dog-walking grounds in Tallinn. Meetings with representatives of city districts were held to find suitable sites for the dog-walking grounds. Table 1. Number of playgrounds, outdoor gyms and dog-walking grounds in Tallinn

Tallinn City Centre Playgrounds 2007 612 20 Playgrounds 2014 275 23 Outdoor gyms 2005 0 0 Outdoor gyms 2014 28 4 Dog-walking grounds 2005 6 3 Dog-walking grounds 2014 14 3

55% of the residents of Tallinn surveyed in 2006 and 75% of those in 2013 were satisfied with the overall status of playgrounds. Satisfaction with dog-walking grounds and walking options has increased from 45% to 60% in seven years, because the city has established new walking sites (Table 1). Quality maintenance is essential for guaranteeing the quality of green urban areas. The green urban area information system was established in 2005, when a stocktake of green urban area maintenance was also carried out. Tallinn maintained over 3,531 hectares of public green urban areas in both 2005 and 2014, comprising 22.2% of the territory of the city. The city updated the regulation on the requirements for green urban area management in 2012 in order to guarantee quality. Forest comprises the biggest part of the green urban areas of Tallinn (3121.44 ha). Forest management plans have been prepared for 156 hectares and maintenance plans for 44.8 hectares in order to use the city-owned forests as recreation areas and in compliance with the requirements for the preservation of natural values and biodiversity. Bicycle paths, health tracks, picnic sites, disc-golf courses and outdoor gyms have been established in forests in recent years. The survey of residents carried out in 2013 revealed that 70% of respondents were satisfied with the existence of health tracks.

Map 6. Cohesion of green urban areas in Tallinn

The city has established the Tallinn Stormwater Strategy to 2030, which lays down the main development objectives of the area and contains an action plan for the achievement of said objectives. In order to clarify the impact of stormwater outlets on bodies of water, Tallinn Environment Department has been monitoring stormwater outlets and receiving bodies of water for many years. The results of monitoring clearly show the impact of the construction of sewerage networks in the city, as the direction of pollutants into stormwater systems has decreased and the quality of stormwater has improved considerably. Construction of the stormwater drainage system of Ülemiste junction, which is designed to reduce the stormwater impact load of the new junction on the sewerage pipelines, was completed in 2012. In the course of construction, water was directed to the historical Kadriorg Park, which is located near the sea in the city centre and where the historical circular canal was reconstructed (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Stormwater at Ülemiste junction is directed to Kadriorg Park. The historical circular canal in front of Kadriorg Palace was reconstructed and stormwater facilities, a cascade with five levels, a pond and stormwater outlet into the sea were built in the course of the reconstruction work

There are five public beaches in Tallinn, and water quality has been very good for years. While the satisfaction survey of 2006 indicated that 76% of residents were satisfied with the status of coastal areas, this indicator had increased to 94% by 2013. and Pikakari beaches were awarded the internationally recognised Blue Flag eco-label in 2014 and 2015. Tallinn Environment Department keeps account of polluted areas of land. If there is any suspicion of residual pollution in a development area, the land is inspected for pollution in the course of the planning process. Pollution must be eliminated before construction can start. Pesticides are not used in public space in Tallinn. Herbicides are only used for weed control on railways once a year.

3B. Past Performance

Describe the measures implemented over the last five to ten years. Comment on which measures have been most effective.

Make reference to: 1. Regenerating formerly developed sites (share of brownfields used for new housing or business etc.); inventorying and minimising the total area of fallow, derelict and contaminated land; 2. Increasing or sustaining population density in built-up areas while protecting green areas and providing a high quality of life within densely populated areas; 3. Renovating urban land and renewing urban design (involving stakeholders) to make city living attractive and enable a more sustainable lifestyle (e.g. short distances to services and facilities reduce the transport demand and promote walking and cycling; multi-apartment houses save energy for heating, cooling, reduce infrastructural needs); 4. Limiting urban sprawl by cooperating with the neighbouring municipalities; 5. Limiting, mitigating or compensation environmental impacts of soil sealing; 6. Measures to promote the use of permeable or semi-permeable materials, where appropriate; 7. Integrating current and future changes such as economic growth, demographic or climate change through sustainable land use planning; 8. Monitoring the effectiveness of management measures. 9. Quality of green and blue areas 10. Instruments used to promote the use of green infrastructure (tax reductions for green roofs, building permits, funding schemes for green roofs or biodiversity-rich communal gardens) 11. Rehabilitation of derelict zones or housing areas which were in poor state by using green infrastructure

(max. 1200 words & 5 graphics, images or tables)

The most important aspects of the city’s spatial development in the General Plan of Tallinn (2001) are the densification of the city centre and turning the numerous former industrial areas near the historical railway circle surrounding the city centre, incl. the port area, into new commercial and residential areas. Approximately 55% of former brownfields have been adopted as residential or commercial areas (Figure 3 Section 3A). New, dense residential areas of panel buildings were built at a distance of 6-10 km from the city centre between 1960 and 1988. Some parts of the city centre and its immediate neighbourhood had been an industrial area for a century, but this function became obsolete at the beginning of the 1990s. These areas have been turned into attractive regions for the development of residential and commercial buildings. This is why increasing or maintaining the population density of developed areas is most topical in the large panel building areas of Tallinn – more than half of the city’s population lives there and the infrastructure is sometimes underused. In order to increase or stabilise the population of these residential areas additional buildings have been constructed to fill in the gaps and the nearby former industrial areas have been used. New apartment buildings have also been built in areas that were reserved for residential construction in the 1970s and 1980s. However, existing green yards and designated residential park areas have been preserved. The city avoids planning mono-functional regions in the general plans of city districts and observes that parks and recreation areas as well as jobs are close to residential areas, which promotes sustainable modes of travel. The kindergarten service is district-based, which reduces the need for forced travel. In order to prevent the emergence of social segregation, the construction of apartments of different sizes has been set as a condition in development areas. The development documents of Tallinn describe the activities necessary for the implementation of general plans. The most important development on municipal land, incl. brownfileds, in the last 10 years is completing the construction of the centres of the Lasnamäe and districts in the eastern and western parts of Tallinn, which came to a standstill in the 1980s. There were no leisure opportunities in these districts, incl. no sports halls or grounds. Street networks with the necessary infrastructure and numerous shops and service companies have since been established. Three industrial parks have been created in Lasnamäe on the city’s initiative, where more than 1700 new jobs have since been created. A tennis centre, two ice rinks, an athletics hall, a hall for sports games, four sports centres, a stadium, a swimming pool, an environmental education centre, a church and a sauna have been established in districts of Tallinn in recent years (Figure 1). The provision of services close to home reduces the need for transport and thereby improves the living environment.

Figure 1. Leisure Centre in Haabersti (1), Ice Rink in Lasnamäe (2), Athletics Hall (3) and Lasnamäe Eco-sauna (4)

Tallinn is divided into eight districts and 84 historical subdistricts. There are 24 neighbourhood associations in Tallinn, which are non-government organisations operating within the borders of the subdistricts. Their aim is to improve the living environment in their subdistrict and to combine the common values and visions of local residents with the decisions made by the city government. These societies organise exciting events, such as street festivals, collective action and seminars about life in the city, and they also take part in discussions concerning city plans and urban space. Best Practice in Cooperation, which explains the mutual rights and obligations of the city’s agencies and non-profit organisations, has also been prepared. Residents have been involved in the projects ‘Flowery District’ and ‘Tasteful Balcony’ on the initiative of the city government (Figure 2). Regular collective action is organised in the protected and green urban areas of the city. Such action usually takes place in spring within the scope of the Maintenance Month and Let’s Do It campaigns. A total of 4740 people took part in 105 collective action events in 2014 (Figure 3).

Figure 2. The purpose of ‘Flowery District’ is to tend green urban areas with the help of local residents

Figure 3. Thousands of people take part in collective action

Construction of single-family homes in Tallinn was excluded with a political decision for a period of ca 30 years (1960-1990), which resulted in 95% of residential premises being in large apartment buildings. Demand for private houses has increased rapidly, which is why the densification of existing infrastructure, the slowing of urban sprawl and the diversification of housing became the fundamental principles of the General Plan of Tallinn (2001). Private land on the outskirts of the city that was returned to their former owners on the basis of the land reform was designated for areas of single-family homes. Urban sprawl still occurred, but it would have been more intense if Tallinn had not allowed for the construction of small houses within the borders of the city. A study of the options of Tallinn to reduce urban sprawl was carried out in 2007, as a result of which the city has started paying more attention to the use of internal resources, coastal and industrial areas and the diversification of recreational opportunities in the city’s forests in order to make the city more attractive to its residents. The network of bikeways has been extended significantly and now connects various centres in the city, green urban areas and neighbouring municipalities. For example, a 2.5-km beach promenade connecting Rocca al Mare and Stroomi beach has been completed (Figure 4). Public transport network has been extended across the city’s borders to neighbouring municipalities alongside the joint ticket system. The car-free area in the Old Town has been expanded every year.

Figure 4. The location of the bikeway that connects Rocca al Mare and Stroomi beach (location marked with the red line in Photo 1) was established in consideration of the natural landscape (2-4)

Many former industrial areas have been turned into green urban areas, which have increased the diversity of the green urban areas as well as the quality of life in the adjacent residential areas (Figure 5). Pae Park is a good example – the former limestone quarry is now the site of a 22-hectare green urban area surrounded by residential buildings. The former Pääsküla landfill, which covered 35 hectares, is now a green urban area, which has increased the quality of the surrounding residential area.

Figure 5. Regenerated former Pääsküla landfill (1) and limestone quarry (2) and a golf course built on a construction waste disposal site (3)

The Tallinn Environmental Strategy to 2030, Tallinn Environmental Protection Action Plan 2013-2018, Tallinn Greenery Action Plan 2013-2018 and Tallinn Stormwater Strategy to 2030 contain detailed descriptions of the activities required to guarantee and improve the quality of green and blue areas. The City of Tallinn has three successful support measures for apartment associations that wish to streamline their buildings and yards in order to make Tallinn more attractive and improve the quality of living. The Yards in Order measure, which was launched in 2006, grants support for tidying up their yards, incl. solving stormwater problems on properties, establishing or improving green urban areas, playgrounds or waste sheds and the reconstruction of car parks. Approximately 7 million euros was allocated to 962 apartment associations from the measure from 2006-2014. The Green Yard measure, which was launched in 2013, grants support for landscaping the yards and the surroundings of buildings (planting grass and plants) and the maintenance of greenery. 115,780 euros in total has been allocated from the city budget from 2013-2015 for streamlining the yards and surroundings of 275 apartment buildings. Since 2010, Tallinn has been implementing the project Fix the Facades, which aims to help apartment associations make their buildings more energy-efficient (insulation of facades, replacement of doors and windows). Tallinn supported the reconstruction of 123 apartment buildings to a value of 1.71 million euros from 2010-2014. Special conditions of heritage conservation need to be followed for construction, reconstruction or restoration works in the medieval Old Town of Tallinn, which is under UNESCO protection. The conditions include the list of values that must be preserved and the conditions of activities that need to be complied with, all of which is monitored by Tallinn Culture and Heritage Department. The development of green urban areas is regulated by the Tallinn Greenery Action Plan for 2013- 2025. The action plan covers activities related to the inventories, protection, maintenance and public presentation of green urban areas in Tallinn. Common public procurement regulations have been established for ordering maintenance. The green urban area information system has been developed and its use has improved the inspection of the quality of green urban area maintenance. The implementation of required activities is monitored once a year. Tallinn has evened out the quality of planting works and tree maintenance with the regulation Procedure for Planting Trees in Public Areas, which guarantees the use of high-quality plants. Tallinn was awarded the title of European City of the Trees for these activities in 2015. An inventory of woody flora and greenery must be carried out according to the established regulation before the preparation of detailed plans and building projects in order to preserve valuable greenery when locations are selected for buildings. Replacement planting must be organised as compensation measure for the decrease in greenery and biodiversity if the preservation of existing trees proves to be impossible. The owner of the property must perform the obligation of replacement planting before applying for a permit for use of the building. 19,462 trees have been planted in the city from 2005-2014 within the scope of replacement planting. Permits for cutting trees can be requested digitally since 2011. The proportion of digital processing of cutting permits has increased from 17.2% to 53.2% of all applications in four years. The city government has been processing cutting permits digitally via the Cutting Permit Database since spring 2015 and it has made the procedure faster, more efficient and more convenient. One of the objectives that the city attempts to achieve with its plans and projects is reduction of the proportion of water-resistant surfaces in car parks and yards, and increasing the proportion of green areas. Immersion of stormwater into the soil has been required where possible instead of its direction into the sewerage system. A planned solution to reducing the area of paved surfaces is to build car parks inside new buildings, and the roofs of car parks that stretch out from under buildings to be landscaped. Construction Regulation of Tallinn imposes the minimum greenery requirement, which is a compulsory share of pervious surfaces in development areas, since it is an important measure of limiting the proportion of impervious surfaces, especially in new development areas. Compliance with minimum greenery requirements is observed in general plans, detailed plans and design projects. Areas at risk of flooding are taken into account when plans and projects are processed. The flood risk areas, which in Tallinn are mainly in the coastal region, are entered in the general plans of city districts. Measures are prescribed for these areas to avoid flood damage, and these are considered when areas of buildings and other sites sensitive to flood damage are planned.

3C. Future Plans

Describe the short and long term objectives and the proposed approach for their achievement. Emphasise to what extent plans are supported by commitments, budget allocations, and monitoring and performance evaluation schemes.

With particular reference on strategic approaches on the establishment and management of green urban areas (public and privately owned) taking into consideration their function:

1. People’s quality of life, public health and recreation; 2. Additional ecosystem functions and services such as regulating water balance, balancing climate extremes, filtering air pollution, education, pesticide risk and use reduction etc.; 3. Rehabilitation of brown field sites, derelict and/or contaminated land; both for new development and/or desealing measures for environmental purposes.

Please make reference to the criteria that will be used to measure progress and impact.

(max. 800 words & 5 graphics, images or tables)

One of the development principles laid down by the “Tallinn 2030” strategy is that the welfare of Tallinn residents is primary, and in order to achieve this the city must be able to offer services for a valuable life to citizens with different interests and needs everywhere in the city and at different points in the lifespan of citizens. Tallinn must be turned into a feel-good place that covers social and physical security; diverse opportunities for self-realisation in entertainment, culture and education; and an attractive city space. The second important development principle is how environmentally friendly and sustainable the city is. The strategy is implemented via various development documents and plans. The requirements of the living environment in Tallinn are highlighted in the Tallinn Development Plan 2014-2020 – a city with diverse opportunities for activities, rich in experiences and characterised by a cosy, inspiring and sustainable urban space. The goals set in the Tallinn Environmental Strategy to 2030 are the preservation of biodiversity, and comprehensive and optimal greenery. The overall objective of the General Plan of Tallinn is the creation of good preconditions for the social and economic development of Tallinn in a way that is sustainable on environment and cultural heritage. The same development trends are also included in the development strategy of Tallinn. The general plans of districts and thematic plans have been created to specify the general plan of Tallinn. The aforementioned visions and goals are specified and the activities necessary for their implementation are laid down in the Tallinn Environmental Protection Action Plan 2013-2018, Tallinn Stormwater Strategy to 2030 and Tallinn Greenery Action Plan for 2013-2025. The development documents of Tallinn are monitored according to the regulation Procedure for Processing the Development Documents of Tallinn either at least once every five years or every year. The achievement of indicators and implementation of activities is observed during monitoring. The general plan of Tallinn is reviewed every four years to guarantee the best environment for living, working, mobility, recreation and service consumption in Tallinn. According to the development documents of Tallinn, it is important to achieve the following short-term goals in urban planning from 2015-2020:

 The development of a balanced network of city centres, especially in the neighbourhood of large existing residential areas, as well as in the city centre. It is planned to redesign the main street of Tallinn (the city centre section between two historical streets – Narva Road and Pärnu Road) as a street where sustainable modes of travel are preferred and adding more greenery (Figure 1). The concept of the ‘Main Street of Tallinn’ has been prepared and, as a result of the project, the pavements on the street will be made wider, new bicycle paths and greenery will be added, the conditions of use of public transport will be improved, additional pedestrian crossings will be created and the traffic scheme on the Viru roundabout will be changed so that the historical square can be given back to pedestrians. There are also plans to prepare the structural or detailed plan of a demonstration area of environmentally friendly construction and sustainable urban planning.

Figure 1. Concept of the ‘Main Street Tallinn’ – existing situation (1 and 3) and future vision (2 and 4) (Arhitekt Must OÜ)

 Densification of existing urban space, especially in the area of the Tallinn ports, and finding a new use for the former military and industrial areas near the city centre. The detailed plans will be prepared in cooperation with property owners to guarantee access to the coastal area and completion of the beach promenade. The mobility environment, incl. the network of bikeways between the Vanasadam Port and the city centre will be improved, in order to value historical heritage and to connect the seaside to the city centre with quality urban space for pedestrians and cyclists. A recreational area that values nature will be created in a 1.5-square kilometre area in .

Figure 2. Existing and prospective bikeways paths in Tallinn

 Streamlining the green network into a comprehensive system of green urban areas, connected with green corridors and bikeways. The focus of attention is the city centre, for which a thematic plan of the green network and bikeways will be prepared alongside the action plan required for its implementation. Approximately 40 km of new bikeways will be built in the city in the coming years (Figure 2). Health tracks will also be built on the existing paths in Õismäe bog, while a tunnel connecting Pirita Sports Centre to Lillepi Park will be completed in 2015 (Figure 3). The 6.8-hectare Kivila Park will be completed as part of the green corridor, and the construction of a public eco-golf course in Lasnamäe (currently in the design stage) which preserves all of the existing natural values of over 25 hectares of wasteland will also be finished.

Figure 3. Location and construction of the tunnel connecting Lillepi Park and the forest area in Pirita, natural values in the park – sea pink (Armeria maritima) and meadow anemone (Pulsatilla pratensis), corn crake (Crex crex, special in Annex I to the Bird Directive) and common noctule (Nyctalus noctula, species in Annex IV of the Nature Directive)

 Increasing the efficiency of planning a high-quality and people-centred urban space where public space and environmental aspects are considered important. The concept of a green space factor will be developed for this purpose, which will allow the biodiversity and greenery of development areas to be preserved. Design contests for the creation of public areas are organised to find the best solutions. The project ‘Flower Party for Children and Young People’ will be implemented, which will increase the biodiversity of 16 km of traffic islands currently covered in grass (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Flower Party for Children and Young People – street map, existing situation and future vision

The city’s greenery vision according to development documents is that Tallinn is a valuable and aesthetic living environment with a functioning green network and diverse landscape. The following goals and activities are necessary for its implementation:  Streamlining of the data of green urban areas. The greenery information system will be developed further and a database with online output and query options will be created for the collection of data about biotopes and the biota. 100% of the trees growing on street land and 90% of trees in parks will be registered and issued with passports.  The urban landscape is diverse and rich in life. 14 boulevards will be taken under local protection and maintenance plans will be prepared for them. Increasing biodiversity will also be a goal when green urban areas are maintained. A study of the visitor pressure of green urban areas will be prepared. A plan for controlling invasive alien species will be prepared.  Aesthetic and healthy living environment. Demonstration projects will be carried out to introduce vegetated roofs and vertical green walls, standard solutions of sustainable urban drainage system and landscaping of school gardens and kindergartens.. 17 boulevards and five new green areas will be established, and nine boulevards and 83 parks or green areas will be reconstructed (Figure 5). Five new family playgrounds will be established and 25 playgrounds will be reconstructed. A strategic noise map and an action plan for noise reduction will be compiled, and the car-free pedestrian zone in the Old Town will be expanded by ca two kilometres. An action plan for maintaining and improving the favourable condition of wetlands and small water bodies will also be prepared. There will be an annual conference for city departments entitled Safe Tallinn, focussing on issues of guaranteeing the safety of the environment.

Figure 5. Vision for the reconstruction of Tammsaare Park in the centre of Tallinn (Kadarik Tüür Arhitektid OÜ)

 The green urban area is a valuable part of the living environment. The Tour de Parc route that introduces green urban areas will be developed alongside opportunities to introduce the historical summer manors in the territory of the city.

3D. References

List supporting documentation, adding links where possible. Further detail may be requested during the clarification phase. Documentation should not be forwarded at this stage.

(max 400 words)

Approval of Tallinn General Plan Review Reports and Information on Proposed Amendments to General and Thematic Plans – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=128561&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Conditions and Procedure for Granting Permits for Cutting and Pruning Trees – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=120511 Construction Regulation of the City of Tallinn – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=123864&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Cutting Permit Database – http://raie.tallinn.ee/open_raie.php Determination of the areas and maintenance classes of green urban areas maintained by districts of Tallinn. AS K&H. Job No 05H79. Tartu 2005 European Arboricultural Council – http://www.more-trees-please.com/ Fix the Facades – http://www.tallinn.ee/fassaadidkorda/ General Plan of Tallinn – http://www.tallinn.ee/est/ehitus/Tallinna-linna-uldplaneering General plans of Tallinn districts – http://www.tallinn.ee/est/ehitus/Linnaosade-uldplaneeringud Green Yard – http://www.tallinn.ee/est/rohelisemtallinn/ Heritage Conservation Act – https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/517062015012/consolide Kadriorg Park Development Plan to 2018 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=97430 Let’s Do It – www.teemeara.ee Maintenance Month – www.tallinn.ee/est/heakorrakuu Pae Limestone Park – http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/Pae-Limestone-Park Planning and Creating a Living Environment that Includes Everyone – http://www.abivahendikeskus.astangu.ee/fileadmin/media/Trukised/Koiki_kaasava_elukeskkonna_kavan damine___loomine.pdf Procedure for Planting Trees in Public Areas – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=121431 Procedure for Processing Development Documents of Tallinn – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=116721 Public Playground Development Action Plan in Tallinn 2011-2016 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=119575&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Requirements for Establishment of Dog-walking Grounds and Swimming Spots – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=124700&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Requirements for Maintenance of Green Urban Areas in Tallinn – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=122851 Safe Community – http://www.ki.se/csp/ Satisfaction of Residents with the Public Services of Tallinn, 2013. OÜ Eesti Uuringukeskus – http://uuringud.tallinnlv.ee/document.aspx?id=11453 Satisfaction Survey of Tallinn Residents Faktum & Ariko 2006 – http://uuringud.tallinnlv.ee/document.aspx?id=10748 Strategy Tallinn 2030 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=118878 Tallinn Development Plan 2014-2020 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3002&aktid=126050&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Tallinn Environmental Education Development Plan 2008-2014 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=111664&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Tallinn Environmental Protection Action plan 2013-2018 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=125983&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Tallinn Environmental Strategy to 2030 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=120867&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Tallinn Greenery Action Plan for 2013-2025 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=125984&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp Tallinn Public Health Development Plan 2008-2015 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=111002&fd=1&leht=1&q_sort=elex_akt.akt_vkp#_Toc19627 9569 Tallinn Stormwater Strategy to 2030 – https://oigusaktid.tallinn.ee/?id=3001&aktid=123505 Urban Idea Website – http://www.linnaidee.ee/content/linnaidee Yards in Order – http://www.tallinn.ee/est/hoovidkorda/