The City of Tallinn is transforming Aia Street into a green and vibrant public space this summer, complete with rest areas, play zones, urban furniture, and greenery.
A “Summer Street” is a temporary spatial experiment in which a street is redesigned for the summer season. For the duration of the summer, Aia Street will feature expanded pedestrian areas and places to relax, with reused urban furniture, benches, street and board games, and other leisure activities. Additional greenery, planters, and flower pots will also be added. In addition to decorative plants, the city will plant berry bushes and edible garden plants.
The changes aim to create a calmer and more enjoyable street environment and provide an attractive public space for residents of all ages.
“Our goal is to make the streets of Tallinn safe and comfortable for people aged 8 to 80. People who are important for local businesses and entrepreneurship—potential customers—will come when the street offers a space with a variety of activities for people of all ages,” said Tallinn Deputy Mayor Pärtel-Peeter Pere.
Aia Summer Street has been developed in cooperation between the City of Tallinn and local residents. A survey conducted last year revealed that people would like to see more opportunities on Aia Street for relaxation and for enjoying nature, art, and culture. Aia Street is seen as an important connection between the Rotermann Quarter and the Old Town—an attractive and lively place for different societal groups. Several respondents noted that the street is too car-centric, making it uncomfortable for pedestrians and cyclists.
When thinking about the Summer Street concept, 73 percent of respondents wanted improved pedestrian access and better access to eateries and terraces on Aia Street. It was suggested that the street could become a meeting place in the summer where people can rest safely in a green environment. Nearly 80 percent of respondents wanted ground-level greenery and sitting/rest areas. Since there are several sports facilities on the street, it was also suggested to include play and exercise opportunities in the public space.
“Aia Street’s temporary summer spatial experiments provide a good overview of how spatial interventions can improve the quality of street use. The Summer Street trial also serves as input for streets to be designed in the future,” said Hanna Veske, urban environment designer at the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department.
Aia Street will temporarily become one-way from Vana-Viru to the parking lot at Aia 7. The street space will be narrowed using flower pots, leaving a sufficiently wide passage for cars and maintaining 12 parking spaces for the summer.
Plans for the transformation of Aia Street will be presented on 23 April at 17:30 at Kanutiaia Huvikool.