Discussions on Tartu’s new general planning reach the council
Tartu City Government
/ Tartu City Government has submitted the draft general planning for the city to the council for discussion.
The new planning underscores the development of the city centre as a priority as well as appreciation for the city’s green areas.
“The key issues for Tartu are the development and full construction of the urban environment, the creation of new workplaces and places to live and shoring up the city’s reputation as the foremost centre of culture and education in the country,” explained mayor Urmas Klaas. “We want Tartu to be an open and international city.” According to the mayor, the new general planning responds to these challenges. “The plans represent the future of the city over the next couple of decades, so I hope the people of Tartu will play an active part in shaping them,” said Klaas.
The spatial development principles underlying the planning solution give consideration to economic, social and cultural trends and to the environment. There is a focus on the development of the city centre and universities as a priority; on more effectively linking the suburb of Maarjamõisa to the centre of Tartu; on connecting the suburb of Raadi to the development of the city centre, Annelinn and Tartu municipality; and on the closer integration of enterprise with the urban environment.
In construction on residential land, apartment buildings will be given preference over developments favouring private homes. The largest areas of residential construction have been planned for Raadi; Ujula Street; the area between the suburbs of Annelinn and Ihaste; the Raeremmelga Street area; Ihaste Road; the Jaamamõisa district of private homes; the EUROPAN 9 competition space; the plot of land at Teguri 55; and Ränilinn.
“The plans are a multi-faceted development document that highlights not only individual sites that are earmarked for construction, like playgrounds, sports fields, schools, streets and dog parks, but also very principled choices in regard, for example, to traffic management, the sustainable energy economy and the planning of public transport in the city,” explained Deputy Mayor Jarno Laur.
The new general planning values the parks and other green areas in Tartu. Together with the city’s existing landscaping and that which is to be added to its streets and roads, these green areas form a network that covers the entire city. These are also the first such plans to define city gardens: areas of land on which gardening is carried out by and for the city.
The general planning emphasises the role played by Tartu in promoting culture, but also as an alternative centre of culture at both the regional and national levels. The locations of sports, cultural, educational, health care and social welfare institutions are clearly mapped in the new plans.
Alongside the general planning, a report on the strategic assessment of its environmental impact is also to be made public.
According to the preliminary schedule, the planning is to go on public display at the end of March, with public debates and information days being held in different parts of the city throughout April.
The drawing up of new general planning for Tartu was launched by the city council at the end of 2014. The draft plans were unveiled as part of a public display and discussion last year.
Last changed 07.03.2017
