Tallinn wants cheaper housing in city center to avoid segregation
The urban development plan of the Kesklinn (city center) district should determine the urban spatial principles in order to avoid socioeconomic segregation, the city of Tallinn notes in the terms of reference of the plan.
According to a study published last year, Tallinn is the capital city undergoing the most rapid segregation in Europe. If the process were to continue, it would, in a few decades, lead to social and spatial fragmentation, which would in turn have a detrimental effect on economy.
The study noted that the Tallinn city center is a risk area in which people on the lowest incomes find it increasingly difficult to find housing. In this context, segregation means wealthy and poor people residing in different districts.
Tallinn has the particular feature that separating into districts is nationality based. It is estimated that Tallinn's socioeconomic segregation is twice as high as in Riga and Vilnius.
The terms of reference of the Kesklinn urban development plan assign the tasks of designing urban spatial principles for avoiding segregation, increasing affordable housing and encouraging social integration by way of designing public spaces.
"Segregation can be mitigated by dispersing low-cost rent apartmets in the city or designing residences with different price levels in areas of new construction," the document notes. The city says the urban development plan should guarantee that the city center does not become a district for only wealthier residents and customers.
The process of assembling the Kesklinn urban development plan was launched in February last year. The comprehensive plan is to be established in 2025.
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Editor: Anders Nõmm