Tallinn wants to reduce the number of Old Town apartments on the short-term rental market and bring more permanent residents to the district under a new development plan. How this will be done remains unclear.
Several European cities, such as Barcelona and Amsterdam, have long been working to reduce the number of tourist properties in their city centers. The recently adopted development plan for Tallinn’s Old Town attempts to address the same issue.
“The Old Town is currently an important tourist destination, and we want to keep it that way. At the same time, it’s also important to preserve the local population and make the area attractive for domestic tourists as well,” said Deputy Mayor Madle Lippus (SDE).
Old Town resident Ville Jehe is used to the crowds of tourists but still prefers to spend the peak season away from the city.
“Summer really is extremely intense. I try to spend less time there in the summer because even getting to my building – since I live on Viru tänav – is often difficult by car. Even walking takes time,” said Ville Jehe, a board member of the Vanalinna Selts (Old Town Society) and entrepreneur.
Read more: ERR.EE
