The study of spatial development scenarios provides a science-based evidence for the National spatial plan of Estonia. The aim of the national spatial plan is to determine the principles, guidelines and trends for the country’s balanced regional development until 2050. The study focuses on analyzing four pre-defined scenarios for the Estonian spatial development, addressing demographic change, resource needs and environmental impacts of different scenarios. Together, these scenarios provide insight into the level of effort needed to pursue alternative spatial development paths in response to the long-standing concentration of population and economic activity in the capital region.
- Balanced spatial development is ensured by at least ten economically strong and evenly distributed engine cities across Estonia.
- The most sustainable path for development is offered by spatially compact settlements, which help ensure better connectivity with the engine cities and thus improve access to both jobs and higher-order services in most of Estonia.
- Both growing and shrinking settlements require spatial interventions that support their compact development and the creation of a high-quality living environment.
The definition and creation of quality space could be based on three key documents that provide the core content for this concept: The Davos Declaration, The Ministry of Culture’s Principles of Quality Space, The New European Bauhaus initiative2, which defines a triad of values: beautiful, inclusive, and sustainable.
Based on the principles set out in these foundational documents (see Figure 6), any demolition or addition of buildings must be carefully considered in advance—whether existing buildings could be retrofitted following these quality principles and reused instead, thus avoiding the need for new construction.
Working group: Tiit Tammaru, Anneli Kährik, Anto Aasa, Kadi Kalm, Pille Metspalu, Ann Ideon, Veiko Sepp, Antti Roose, Andres Ojari, Toomas Tammis, Raul Kalvo, Rivo Noorkõiv, Helen Sooväli-Sepping // Tartu University, Etonian Academy of Arts, OÜ Hendrikson.
Commissioner: Ministry of Regional Development and Agriculture // Anna Semjonova, Tiit Oidjärv, Andres Levald.
Period: May 2024 – June 2025