Tallinn, Estonia

Population: 445 688

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, in the north-western part of the country. A former European Capital of Culture, Tallinn was listed among the top 10 digital cities in the world and is running for the 2023 edition of the European Green Capital Award.

Approximately 33% of the city is covered by green areas. Tallinn has 61 parks, of which 20 are protected, 113 protected natural objects and many suitable habitats for common and rare animal species. In the last 30 years, 144 protected species have been registered in Tallinn, making up more than 75% of the protected species of the respective animal groups in Estonia. Numerous bird species protected in Europe and Estonia can be found in Tallinn.

Outdoor recreational fields and a new urban rain garden for happier, more sociable residents

The GoGreenRoutes target area in Tallinn is known as the Vormsi park, located in Lasnamäe, the city’s most populous district. Lasnamäe is inhabited by around 120,000 people, the majority of whom are Russian speakers. Local housing consists mostly of 5-16-storey blocks of large-panel residential buildings erected 30-50 years ago and not remodelled since, giving Lasnamäe a typically Soviet atmosphere.

Park Vormsi is situated in the eastern part of Lasnamäe and about 4,4 hectares in size. As Lasnamäe is highly populated, the park is within walking distance from the homes of thousands of locals. Located between high and low rise buildings, bordered between Estonia and Russian speaking communities in Tallinn, between ages and interest and between natural environment and city streets, Vormsi Park is the perfect area to bring community members together.

While part of the park is equipped with a playground for children, a play yard for dogs and an area planted with apple, cherry, plum and damson trees, most of it is covered by urban wilderness areas, crossed by a small spring.

Vormsi park is the ideal public space for co-designing a new urban garden with local citizens that will result in increased social interactions and reduced stress levels. Outdoor recreational fields will also be created in order to address mental and behavioural disorders across several age groups.

Local stakeholders have identified 3 main areas of interest in co-creating their Seedbed Intervention:

Retaining the historical heritage of the area
Creating evironment close to nature for people to move freely
Creating an environment suitable for leisure

So far Tallinn's residents have decided jointly to focus on management of local tress and the creation of a rain garden, which concentrates water in smaller reas and can be used for irrication, giving more opportunities for leisure.

Tallinn's nature-based solutions will prevent the deterioration of air quality in the downtown area and counterbalance the adverse health effects of air pollution such as asthma and the spread of infections.

Sports and educational events provide a platform for environmental learning and to inspire the emergence of new green solutions and innovations in the future.

Tallinn’s vision for GoGreenRoutes is to involve residents and local stakeholders in the process of co-creating nature-based solutions that meet different needs and interests, taking into consideration vulnerable groups and bringing about a positive impact for healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

What will Tallinn be like in 10, 15, or 20 years’ time?

GoGreenRoutes activities will support Tallinn’s Development Plan 2021+, which foresees the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of green areas in Tallinn.

The plan envisages the widespread adoption of nature-based solutions to increase the city's tree canopy cover and permeable surfaces. It also aims to increase citizen satisfaction by offering opportunities to collaborate and participate in governing and shaping the city.

Estonia's National Energy and Climate Plan

Project activities will also support Tallinn's Bicycle Strategy 2018-2027 and Estonia's National Energy and Climate Plan.

One of the targets of the country's climate strategy is to increase the readiness and capability to adapt to the impact of climate change on the national, regional and local levels. GoGreenRoutes will address these challenges at the city level, as green infrastructure and nature-based solutions can provide multiple functions that support climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Actors involved

The main actors involved in the project in Tallinn are the Lasnamäe District Administration, residents of Lasnamäe, the Urban Environment and Public Works Department, the Social Welfare and Health Care Department, the Urban Planning Department, the Strategic Management Office and its projects competence center, the Tallinn University, the Lasnamäe Youth Centre, and local NGOs.

City Initiatives

Did you know that Tallinn was nominated European Green Capital of 2023?
Tallinn led the Flagship Greentech event at the Greenest Summit, which addressed the green revolution.
Find your hobby in this new guide E Guide on hobbies from the Tallinn Board of Education.
Let’s go to the park! See Tallinn’s unique Tondiraba Park.
Tallinn is now the 1st Baltic Capital to join the Gds-Index.

GET IN TOUCH

Aado Altmets, Project manager Aado.Altmets@tallinnlv.ee

Karin Luhaar, Communications Officer Karin.Luhaaar@tallinnlv.ee

City of Tallin Website

Tallinn Tourist Information Centre Website

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