Tallinn City Centre Photo: Andrei Pustovalov Photo: Andrei The city centre in a nutshell

If it is ever possible to attach signifi cance to a city district as being the most important in the country, the city centre of is it due to its high concentration of government and cultural institutions. The city centre is home to both parliamentary and government buildings (on Hill), ministries, Tallinn City Council and Tallinn City Government, the Estonia National Opera, a variety of theatres and concert halls, the National Library, the National Stadium and numerous museums and churches. As such, the residents of the district are always at the heart of political and cultural life in Estonia. The City Centre district was formed on 4 March 1993 by a decision of Tallinn City Council that divided the capital into eight local government units with limited powers. Prior to this reform, what is now considered the city centre had been divided between four districts (Kalinin, Lenin, Meri and Oktoober), each of which bordered one side of Town Hall Square.

Due to its location, the city centre can be considered a link between the other districts of Tallinn, as it borders Põhja-Tallinn, , Nõmme, Lasnamäe and alike. Rae municipality and the are also direct neighbours. The administrative area of the city centre also includes Lake Ülemiste and Island in the Gulf of Finland.

As at 1 September 2020, the population of the City Centre district was 63,692. That makes it the third largest district in Tallinn after Lasnamäe and Mustamäe, but there is only one other town or city in Estonia with a larger population: Tartu.

The district covers 30.6 km2, of which Lake Ülemiste comprises 9.6 km2 and Aegna Island 3 km2. Due to its outstanding nature and abundance of monuments, Aegna is a protected site.

There are 340 streets in the district, 68 of which are in the Old Town. Photo: Anu Aus Photo: Viktor Panasenko Photo: Viktor

The Old Town, which took shape from the 13th to the 16th centuries, is the heart of the city centre. Indeed, a bird’s eye view reveals that the Old Town is itself shaped like a heart. Its medieval street network has been preserved, as have the majority of its buildings over 500 years old and much of the city wall. The Old Town is a heritage site which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Süda-Tatari quarter and neighbourhood, which showcase the timber architecture characteristic of 19th-century Tallinn, are protected as one area. The best known of the fi ve areas of historical and cultural value in the city centre is . A baroque-style castle and magnifi cent park were constructed here on the orders of Russian tsar Peter I in the early 18th century, making it a neighbourhood for wealthy holiday-makers.

Nestled between the Old Town and the port, the Rotermann quarter is known for its large Art Nouveau stone buildings and has also been declared an area of historical and cultural value. The liveliest commercial and business quarters in Estonia are located right next to this area. Due to their abundance of glitzy high-rise buildings and big- name companies, Rävala Avenue, Liivalaia Street and Tartu Highway are often referred to as the Estonian Manhattan or Tallinn City. In contrast, the neighbouring area between Herne, , Õilme and Magasini streets is a sight for sore eyes as an area of historical and cultural value for its greenery and garden city milieu.

Reidi Road is a major project of the decade and it is not only a necessary traff ic road in the city centre, which extends from the Russalka junction to the intersection of Lootsi Street and Tuukri Street, but also a popular recreational area that opened the city to the sea.

Despite the fact that the city centre is an important traff ic junction and a densely populated area, it is also a district full of greenery. There are 42 green areas here in total, the best known being , Toompark (around Schnelli Pond), , Harjumägi, Tammsaare Park and Musumägi.

Lake Ülemiste and the sea are also important in shaping areas of value in the city centre. The district’s area includes several kilometres of beach stretching east from City Hall to Maarjamäe. The is also located in the city centre. 21 historical areas have been described as the neighbourhoods of the city centre. They vary greatly in size and population. The neighbourhood of Lake Ülemiste is the largest in area, covering 1396 hectares, but one of the smallest in terms of population. Next in size is Aegna, which covers 301 hectares. The smallest area, at just 13 hectares, is the neighbourhood of Sibulaküla and .

Based on the number Neighbourhood 2016 2019 of inhabitants, 7540 7325 the ranking of neighbourhoods 6081 5959 in 2019 (compared Keldrimäe 5037 5482 to 2016) was Kadriorg 4819 5151 as follows: Old Town 4665 4681 Kassisaba 4533 4431 Kitseküla 4136 4221 Veerenni 3923 3953 3853 3777 3224 3711 Tatari 2350 2440 Sibulaküla 2215 2147 2161 1894 1306 1397 Tõnismäe 1429 1358 Maakri 1042 1042 799 775 Mõigu 385 337 Lake Ülemiste 202 185 Südalinn 180 172

Photo: Svetlana Stsur Photo: Svetlana Aegna 6 15 Contact information and structure Photo: Viktor Panasenko Photo: Viktor Tallinn City Centre Government organises life in the district within the limits of power granted to it by legislation. The Governor of the City Centre is the head of the district government and is appointed and removed on the proposal of the mayor based on the opinions of the district council. Since 14 September 2020, the governor of the district has been Monika Haukanõmm.

Tallinn City Centre Government operates out of offices at Nunne 18, 15058 in the Old Town. General information is available: by calling 645 7200; by e-mailing [email protected]; on the website www.tallinn.ee/kesklinn; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KesklinnaValitsus; and on Facebook in the English-language group ‘Tallinn City Centre for Expats’.

Information office at Nunne 18 opening hours: Monday 8:15-18:00, Tuesday-Thursday 8:15-17:00 & Friday 8:15-16:00

The following is an overview of the areas of responsibility and contact details of the city district government.

City Property Department This department manages the rental of city-owned business premises and apartments in the city centre. The rental space you need in order to implement your business idea can be found on the City Centre Government auction pages for business premises. Information about the premises can be found on the website tallinn.ee under ‘Official announcements’ (‘Ametlikud teadaanded’) and on Tallinn City Centre Government’s Facebook page. More information is available: by calling 645 7267; by e-mailing [email protected]; or at Nunne 18, office 301.

The City Property Department also deals with housing issues.

Business Division This division manages street trade in the district and the provision of city facilities for commercial purposes (terraces, kiosks and stands). To enter into a city facility contract, fill out the corresponding form (which is available in English on the Tallinn website or from the district government). The Business Division regulates the provision of advertising and information space and premises owned by the city, as well as their supervision. Applications for outdoor advertising are processed via the TERA system.

For more details or assistance in filling out applications: call 645 7226; or e-mail [email protected]. Photo: Viktor Panasenko Photo: Viktor Pustovalov Andrei Foto: Department of Urban Environment Photo: Anu Aus This department deals with public procedures for detailed plans and design conditions and coordinates construction projects and permits. Its area of responsibility covers waste management, landscaping, the environment, general upkeep and cooperation with housing and neighbourhood associations. Ideas on how to improve public space in the city centre and notifications regarding damaged city property can be submitted: by calling 645 7214; by e-mailing [email protected]; or during public opening hours (Monday 16:00-18:00 and Thursday 10:00-12:00).

Culture and Leisure Division This division is responsible for organising traditional major events (New Year’s Eve and Midsummer’s Day) as well as smaller local events (summer concerts, children’s performances and excursions in neighbourhoods). It also supports the organisation of street festivals, sports events and fairs. To obtain more information on events, to submit ideas regarding cultural cooperation or to perform as a street musician or artist in the Old Town: call 645 7211; or e-mail [email protected].

Department of Social Welfare This department organises the provision of social services and emergency social assistance, the granting and paying out of social benefits and the protection of people with special social needs (including children, the disabled, the elderly and others in need of social assistance). If you have any questions regarding social welfare, contact us: by calling 645 7832; by e-mailing [email protected]; or at Pärnu mnt 9, 10148 in Tallinn (Monday 9:00-12:00 & 13:00-18:00, Tuesday/Thursday 9:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00, Friday 9:00-12:00; closed Wednesday).

Population Register Division This division enables European Union citizens to register their place of residence (and cancel their registration if they decide to leave Estonia) and apply for an Estonian ID code. Third-country nationals can also apply for an Estonian ID code at the Population Register. Non-EU citizens can register their place of residence once they have been issued with a residence permit. Registration of residence grants people the right to make use of Tallinn’s free public transport and parking discounts and to access local government services. Extracts from the population register related to residence can also be obtained from the division. More information can be obtained: by calling 645 7854; by e-mailing [email protected]; or at Pärnu mnt 9, open Monday 8:15-18:00 (closed 12:00-13:00), Tuesday/Thursday 8:15-16:30 (closed 12:00-13:00) and Friday 8:15-12:00. Photo: Anu Aus

City Centre Social Centre This centre serves as a meeting place for the elderly, where you can interact, join hobby groups, attend talks, celebrate special days with your peers and go on exciting excursions together. Clients can also use the services offered by the centre (discounted lunches at the café, laundromat, hairdresser, home care and more). More information about the centre can be obtained: by calling 646 6123; or by e-mailing [email protected]. Home care service line: 644 0373. Website: www.kesotskeskus.ee. Address: Liivalaia 32, 10138 Tallinn. Day care for the elderly with memory disorders: Raua 1, 10124 Tallinn.

Hopner House This building at Raekoja plats 18 offers beautiful rooms with a memorable medieval interior. Situated at the very heart of the Old Town, this grand edifice is the perfect place for special events, conferences, concerts and other gatherings. Hobby groups and courses for both children and the elderly are run here. If interested: call 645 5321; e-mail [email protected]; or see www.hopnerimaja.eu. City Centre Youth Centre This centre is located at Raua 23 and offers enterprising youngsters valuable non-formal learning opportunities. The main target group is teenagers and young adults aged 14-26, but children aged 7-13 are also welcome. The centre hosts training events, seminars, workshops, talks with guests, cultural evenings, concerts, club activities, theme days and more. Information about the opportunities offered by the centre can be obtained: by calling 641 0021; by e-mailing [email protected]; or see www.tallinnanoored.ee/noortekeskusest or www.facebook.com/tallinnanoored.

Raua Sauna This sauna at Raua 23 has been welcoming visitors since 1937 and is one of the oldest public saunas in Tallinn. In 2013 the facility was completely renovated and users have access to modern sauna rooms for men and women, five cosy hourly saunas, an hourly shower and an hourly bathroom. Sauna accessories are available for purchase, and you can also spend time in the café. If you have any questions about Raua Sauna: call 622 9495; or e-mail [email protected]. More information can be found online at www.rauasaun.ee. Open daily from 11:00-21:00. Hourly saunas are available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 2:00. Photo: Anu Aus Tallinn City Centre New Arrivals Project

Summer 2020 saw the launch of the ‘Tallinn City Centre New Arrivals Project’ commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Estonia and supported by the European Social Fund. The aim of the project is to help new arrivals adjust to life in Estonia and to obtain an overview of the migration situation in the city centre and Tallinn in general. It is a pilot project which is being implemented primarily in the City Centre district, since statistically most foreigners arriving in Tallinn contact the City Centre Population Register in order to obtain a personal ID code and to register their place of residence. Most of them also end up living in the city centre. In addition, statistics show that the expat community in the city centre and in Tallinn as a whole has been growing at a steady pace of late and therefore needs more attention and support. This project is being led by Svetlana Štšur on behalf of the City Centre government. Svetlana is who you should turn to if you have any questions about the central district or adjusting to city life, or if you would like to receive our newsletter in English. Contact her by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 645 7208. We also recommend joining our English-language Facebook group “Tallinn City Centre for Expats” if you want to keep up to date on life in the district! To learn more about the project activities, please visit https://www.tallinn.ee/Tallinn-City-Centre-New-Arrivals-Project. Photo: Tetiana Voitovych